EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen Backs Plan for Canada Associate Membership

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed proposals for Canada to become the EU's first associate member during her address on Wednesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the annual speech in Strasbourg following the recent collapse of trade talks between Canada and the United States.

Von der Leyen listed manufacturing, technology, AI, defence, and clean energy as key areas for deeper cooperation, though formal associate membership does not yet exist.