Trump says Canada–EU associate status could be a ‘hostile act,’ threatens heavy tariffs on Europe

Canada’s rapidly deepening relationship with the European Union has drawn a direct response from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Speaking to reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 16, Trump said allowing Canada to become the EU’s first associate member could potentially be viewed by him as a hostile act toward the United States.

Trump called the proposal laughable. He said good intentions would be acceptable, but warned that perceived bad intentions could prompt very high tariffs on Europe or a halt to trade in some areas.

Trump also renewed his criticism of Canada’s trade policies and described Canada as a poor trading partner. That was his political characterization, not a new legal measure.

The comments followed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to open the door to Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member and to build an Alliance for the Future beyond CETA, spanning advanced manufacturing, energy, critical minerals, AI, cybersecurity, defence production and the Arctic.

Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed a stronger and more ambitious Canada–EU alliance, but the Canadian government has not announced that it is seeking conventional EU membership.

Associate membership remains a proposed new arrangement without an established EU legal category. Its rights, obligations and legal form would require negotiation, and EU member states would decide whether it moves forward.

Trump’s warning is conditional. The United States has not announced or imposed new tariffs on the EU because of this proposal, and Canada has not become an EU associate member.