The European Union has invited Canada to work toward becoming the bloc's first "associate member," underscoring Canada's growing closeness to the 27-nation union as both face deteriorating relationships with the United States. President Trump has waged a relentless trade war with Canada, challenging the nation's economy. The United States has pulled back support for NATO and Ukraine, leaving the European Union scrambling to shore up its defenses. That has left both looking for new partners as the alliances established after World War II shift.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. During a speech, von der Leyen told Carney she would like to work on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union. Though details remain scant and the linkup is not a done deal, the announcement was met with a standing ovation from lawmakers, and Carney and von der Leyen shook hands warmly. Von der Leyen said the proposal was "not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength."

The European Union already has a little-known collective defense guarantee, but von der Leyen pitched "Europe's own Article 4" and said that when it was "triggered by one member state, all member states would convene." She also called for a new leaders' group, the European Security Council, that would include non-E.U. partners in Europe like Britain, Norway and Ukraine, and also Canada. The push to bring Canada closer is likely to encounter roadblocks, as E.U. member states have warned offering too many benefits to a would-be associate would diminish the value of full membership.