EU Parliament Chief Backs ‘Associate Membership’ for Australia, New Zealand

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada in becoming “associate members” of the European Union.

In an interview with Euronews on Sept. 17, ahead of a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Metsola described the proposed status as a third way between full EU membership and candidate status.

“There are countries with which we want to deepen our relationship,” Metsola said.

“I don’t doubt that that will include other countries, and others will come knocking at our door.

“What we cannot let go in this time of such uncertainty is that friends matter, and if we can do more things with our friends, then let’s do them.”

Asked about the technicalities of what associate membership would look like, Metsola said: “We’re doing it in terms of trade. We’re doing it in terms of conversation on what we do with social media, with children, with critical raw materials, alliances that can be forged.”

On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed an “associate membership” for Canada in her annual State of the Union address.

New partnerships were needed “in the cold fragility of today’s world,” von der Leyen told the assembly in Strasbourg, saying this would mean closer cooperation on defense, critical minerals and energy security, and even the Arctic flagship joint project

“I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with ⁠you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said.

The EU is a supranational union of 27 member states that share common political and economic rules, including the free movement of workers as a fundamental principle.

Membership can take decades to join. For example, Croatia applied in 2003 and joined in 2013. Turkey’s application dates to 1987, but talks have been frozen since.

Carney welcomed von der Leyen’s proposal in his Thursday speech.

“Deepening and widening our relationship will strengthen our sovereignty, improve affordability, opportunity and security for Canadian and European citizens, while safeguarding our ability to live our lives as we choose,” he said.

He did not mention the associate membership.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to take action against the EU if it moved forward with the proposal.

Trump was asked about von der Leyen’s proposal for Canada to become an associate member by reporters on Sept. 16 in Charlotte, North Carolina, while on the way to a campaign rally in support of Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley.

“I think it’s laughable,” Trump said, while calling Canada a “terrible trade partner.” He added that if the intention behind the initiative is a “hostile act,” he would impose consequences.

“If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe,” Trump said, adding that he may even fully cut off trade with the bloc in some areas.

Trump’s comments come in the midst of an ongoing trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa.

Talks between the two sides broke down Aug. 21 after Ottawa walked away from trade negotiations, with both sides blaming the other for last-minute changes in demand.

After the negotiations collapsed, previously announced U.S. tariffs of 50 percent on roughly $20 billion in Canadian goods took effect on Aug. 22, followed by Canada imposing retaliatory tariffs on approximately the same value of U.S. products on Sept. 8.

On Sept. 8, Washington announced an import ban on most Canadian alcoholic beverages as well as certain Canadian dairy products and motorcycles set to go into effect Sept. 29, and Trump said he’d ban Canada from certain U.S. federal procurement contracts, which he made official on Sept. 16.

While criticizing Canada’s trade practices, Trump said on Sept. 12 that a deal between the two countries could be reached “fairly soon.” Carney said this week that he welcomes that, adding that his government is “ready to sit down and negotiate” with Washington.

Paul Rowan Brian contributed to this report.