European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed proposals for Canada to become the EU's first "associate member". Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, she said she wanted to work on "opening the door" to closer ties across key sectors.

Mark Carney has sought a "unique alliance" with the EU as Canada faces tense relations with the US and an intensifying trade dispute. Without mentioning Donald Trump by name, von der Leyen said the proposal was "not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength". She said Europe and Canada "see the world with the same eyes", including on AI, climate change and geopolitics, and have stood together on Ukraine, defence, raw materials and supply chains.

She listed manufacturing, technology, AI, defence, energy, critical minerals and economic security as areas for cooperation. But "associate membership" does not currently exist, and any process could take years. Ten of the EU's 27 members have yet to ratify a free-trade agreement with Ottawa, and some capitals favour building on existing defence and trade agreements. Von der Leyen also proposed a European Security Council including the UK and Ukraine, with partners such as Canada, Norway and others involved.