Canada is looking across the Atlantic, Europe is holding open the door, and Donald Trump is warning that the emerging relationship could amount to a “hostile act.”European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the European Union's first-ever associate member, an unprecedented arrangement designed to take relations between Ottawa and Brussels well beyond their existing trade agreement.The proposed partnership could encompass defence production, technology, artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and the Arctic. Von der Leyen says EU–Canada trade in goods has already grown 75 per cent in less than a decade under CETA.But there is an important caveat: Canada is not joining the European Union.“Associate membership” currently has no established legal status in the EU. The proposal remains undefined, would require the backing of member states and has already prompted questions from European diplomats about how such an arrangement would actually work.Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney nevertheless welcomed the ambition while addressing the European Parliament on Thursday. He argued that deeper cooperation would strengthen Canadian resilience and independence rather than create another global power bloc.Washington's response has been considerably less enthusiastic.Trump called the proposal “laughable” and warned that if he considers it hostile, the United States could impose heavy tariffs or restrict trade with Europe.

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France pushed back, saying Washington cannot determine Europe's geopolitical choices. The European Commission insists the proposed partnership is not directed against anybody.That leaves a striking contradiction.Relations between Canada and the United States have deteriorated amid tariffs and broader disputes. Ottawa has consequently sought to reduce its economic dependence on its southern neighbour and deepen relationships elsewhere. Roughly 70 per cent of Canadian exports currently go to the United States.Now Canada's attempt to diversify those relationships is itself provoking another tariff threat.The dispute therefore reaches beyond trade.It raises a larger question about sovereignty and alliances in an increasingly transactional international order: can major powers expect their allies to become more independent while objecting when those allies exercise that independence?Geography will not change.America will remain Canada's neighbour.But being somebody's neighbour does not make you their property.And if Washington pushes traditional partners to look elsewhere, it cannot be surprised when they begin finding each other.

The proposed partnership could encompass defence production, technology, artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and the Arctic. 

Canada is looking across the Atlantic, Europe is holding open the door, and Donald Trump is warning that the emerging relationship could amount to a “hostile act.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the European Union's first-ever associate member, an unprecedented arrangement designed to take relations between Ottawa and Brussels well beyond their existing trade agreement. The proposed partnership could encompass defence production, technology, artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and the Arctic. Von der Leyen says EU–Canada trade in goods has already grown 75 per cent in less than a decade under CETA. But there is an important caveat: Canada is not joining the European Union. “Associate membership” currently has no established legal status in the EU. The proposal remains undefined, would require the backing of member states and has already prompted questions from European diplomats about how such an arrangement would actually work. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney nevertheless welcomed the ambition while addressing the European Parliament on Thursday. He argued that deeper cooperation would strengthen Canadian resilience and independence rather than create another global power bloc. Washington's response has been considerably less enthusiastic. Trump called the proposal “laughable” and warned that if he considers it hostile, the United States could impose heavy tariffs or restrict trade with Europe.

The proposed partnership could encompass defence production, technology, artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and the Arctic.&nbsp;

The Verdict | Hostile to whom? Canada looks to Europe — and Trump threatens tariffs

The European Union is considering a new level of ties with Canada, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that Ottawa become the bloc’s first “associate member”. During her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday (Sep 16), Von der Leyen made the offer to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying she wanted to work towards “opening the door” for Canada.Carney, who received a standing ovation from European lawmakers, has been pushing for a “unique alliance” with the EU as relations between Canada and the United States come under increasing strain.<h2>Beyond trade, towards an alliance</h2>The proposed arrangement would build on the existing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which removes tariffs on 99 per cent of goods exports between Canada and the EU. Von der Leyen said Brussels wanted to take the relationship further.“We will move from CETA to an Alliance for the Future to create a common prosperity and economic security space,” she said.The expanded cooperation could cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defence production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security.Von der Leyen also stressed that the initiative was based on shared political values.“Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy,” she said.<h2>Canada-EU ties deepen amid US tensions</h2>The proposal comes as Canada faces an intensifying trade dispute with the US. Trade talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed last month, followed by new tariff measures. US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly spoken about Canada becoming the “51st state”, adding to tensions between the two neighbours.Von der Leyen avoided naming Trump directly while stressing that the proposed partnership was not aimed at another country.“This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” she said.Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday (Sep 17).<h2>Security also on the agenda</h2>Von der Leyen separately proposed a European Security Council involving partners including Canada, Norway, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.“This is even more urgent now, given the nature and scale of the risks at play,” she said.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed Canada become the bloc’s first ‘associate member’, seeking closer ties with Ottawa amid worsening Canada-US trade tensions and shared security concerns.

The European Union is considering a new level of ties with Canada, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposing that Ottawa become the bloc’s first “associate member”. During her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg on Wednesday (Sep 16), Von der Leyen made the offer to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying she wanted to work towards “opening the door” for Canada. Carney, who received a standing ovation from European lawmakers, has been pushing for a “unique alliance” with the EU as relations between Canada and the United States come under increasing strain. Beyond trade, towards an alliance The proposed arrangement would build on the existing Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which removes tariffs on 99 per cent of goods exports between Canada and the EU. Von der Leyen said Brussels wanted to take the relationship further. “We will move from CETA to an Alliance for the Future to create a common prosperity and economic security space,” she said. The expanded cooperation could cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defence production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security. Von der Leyen also stressed that the initiative was based on shared political values. “Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy,” she said. Canada-EU ties deepen amid US tensions The proposal comes as Canada faces an intensifying trade dispute with the US. Trade talks between Ottawa and Washington collapsed last month, followed by new tariff measures. US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly spoken about Canada becoming the “51st state”, adding to tensions between the two neighbours. Von der Leyen avoided naming Trump directly while stressing that the proposed partnership was not aimed at another country. “This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength,” she said. Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday (Sep 17). Security also on the agenda Von der Leyen separately proposed a European Security Council involving partners including Canada, Norway, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. “This is even more urgent now, given the nature and scale of the risks at play,” she said.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed Canada become the bloc’s first ‘associate member’, seeking closer ties with Ottawa amid worsening Canada-US trade tensions and shared security concerns.

Canada to become EU’s first ‘associate member’? Von der Leyen proposes move amid US tensions

The European Union and Canada secured clearance on Wednesday for their contentious free trade deal and the removal of import duties that supporters say will boost growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

The two parties can claim success for their open markets policy following months of protest and uncertainty as well as the actions of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and wants to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement.

European Parliament lawmakers backed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by 408-254, meaning large parts of the deal, notably tariff reduction, will finally enter into force some eight years after negotiations began.

European trade unions and protest groups complain the pact will lead to a race to the bottom in labour and environmental standards and allow multinational corporations to dictate public policy.

The chief point of contention is the deal&#39;s system to protect foreign investors, which critics say can lead to cases such as Philip Morris International&#39;s&nbsp;challenge, albeit unsuccessful, of plain tobacco packaging in Australia.

Supporters say the right to regulate is enshrined in the treaty and CETA has replaced closed arbitration panels with transparent and independent courts to settle disputes.

In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that &quot;when you put forward a progressive trade deal that takes in account the responsibility of governments to create ... inclusive growth, we can move forward on globalisation&quot;.

Trudeau, who met Trump on Monday, is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday.

Canada&#39;s House of Commons on Tuesday passed legislation to adopt CETA. The upper Senate chamber will now study the proposed law and officials say they expect final approval next month.

Full implementation of CETA, including investment, will only ensue after clearance by more than three dozen national and regional parliaments, which is by no means a certainty.

Backers say CETA will increase Canadian-EU trade by 20 per cent and boost the EU economy by 12 billion euros ($12.7 billion) a year and Canada&#39;s by C$12 billion ($9.18 billion) annually.

For Canada, the deal is important to reduce its reliance on the United States as an export market.

For the EU, it is a first trade pact with a G7 country and a success at a time when the bloc&#39;s credibility has taken a beating from Britain&#39;s 2016 vote to leave the grouping.

The EU also recognises EU-US&nbsp;trade talks are frozen, but wants CETA to be one of a series of ambitious trade deals it plans with countries, including Japan, Vietnam and Mexico.

(Reuters)

European Parliament lawmakers backed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by 408-254

The European Union and Canada secured clearance on Wednesday for their contentious free trade deal and the removal of import duties that supporters say will boost growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The two parties can claim success for their open markets policy following months of protest and uncertainty as well as the actions of US President Donald Trump, who withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and wants to rework the North American Free Trade Agreement. European Parliament lawmakers backed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) by 408-254, meaning large parts of the deal, notably tariff reduction, will finally enter into force some eight years after negotiations began. European trade unions and protest groups complain the pact will lead to a race to the bottom in labour and environmental standards and allow multinational corporations to dictate public policy. The chief point of contention is the deal's system to protect foreign investors, which critics say can lead to cases such as Philip Morris International's challenge, albeit unsuccessful, of plain tobacco packaging in Australia. Supporters say the right to regulate is enshrined in the treaty and CETA has replaced closed arbitration panels with transparent and independent courts to settle disputes. In Ottawa, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that "when you put forward a progressive trade deal that takes in account the responsibility of governments to create ... inclusive growth, we can move forward on globalisation". Trudeau, who met Trump on Monday, is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday. Canada's House of Commons on Tuesday passed legislation to adopt CETA. The upper Senate chamber will now study the proposed law and officials say they expect final approval next month. Full implementation of CETA, including investment, will only ensue after clearance by more than three dozen national and regional parliaments, which is by no means a certainty. Backers say CETA will increase Canadian-EU trade by 20 per cent and boost the EU economy by 12 billion euros ($12.7 billion) a year and Canada's by C$12 billion ($9.18 billion) annually. For Canada, the deal is important to reduce its reliance on the United States as an export market. For the EU, it is a first trade pact with a G7 country and a success at a time when the bloc's credibility has taken a beating from Britain's 2016 vote to leave the grouping. The EU also recognises EU-US trade talks are frozen, but wants CETA to be one of a series of ambitious trade deals it plans with countries, including Japan, Vietnam and Mexico. (Reuters)

EU, Canada secure clearance to kickstart free trade deal

Dealing a fresh blow to a proposed EU-Canada trade deal, Belgium&#39;s Wallonia region on &nbsp;Sunday rejected the European Union&#39;s ultimatum to end its objection to the agreement.&nbsp;

The bloc had given the French-speaking region 24 hours to overcome opposition to the economic and trade agreement or it would cancel a summit to sign the pact.&nbsp;

&quot;The Commission has been working 24/7 to find a solution,&quot; EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstr&ouml;m tweeted on Sunday. &quot;We now hope that Belgium will bring this matter to a successful close.&quot;

But in an embarrassment for the bloc, Wallonia region has refused to endorse the deal. Belgium has so far been the only member not to sign the Commercial Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

Paul Magnette, the leader of the Wallonia region, told the Belga news agency that an &quot;ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democratic rights&quot;.&nbsp;

Investment protection has been one of the major sticking points in negotiations between Brussels and Wallonia. The European Union has provided several assurances to salvage the deal.&nbsp;

However, anti-globalisation groups say the deal is a test model to push through an even more controversial EU-US trade agreement called TTIP.&nbsp;

Sebastian Dullien, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, criticised the Commission for its role in the failure of negotiators to secure an agreement on the deal. &quot;The European Commission carries part of the blame because it didn&#39;t quickly seek a dialogue with doubters. And for this type of deal, you need a large consensus,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Wallonia has found some support for its position elsewhere in Europe. Greenpeace activists too supported Wallonia, saying the deal risked &quot;corporate greed&quot; and trampled on people&#39;s rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic.

The EU has indicated that it expected Prime Minister Charles Michel to come up with an answer on Monday or it will have to decide with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on &quot;whether to maintain the summit&quot;.

(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Leader of Belgium's Wallonia region, which is opposed to the trade deal, said an EU ultimatum infringes on their democratic rights

Dealing a fresh blow to a proposed EU-Canada trade deal, Belgium's Wallonia region on Sunday rejected the European Union's ultimatum to end its objection to the agreement. The bloc had given the French-speaking region 24 hours to overcome opposition to the economic and trade agreement or it would cancel a summit to sign the pact. "The Commission has been working 24/7 to find a solution," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström tweeted on Sunday. "We now hope that Belgium will bring this matter to a successful close." But in an embarrassment for the bloc, Wallonia region has refused to endorse the deal. Belgium has so far been the only member not to sign the Commercial Economic Trade Agreement (CETA). Paul Magnette, the leader of the Wallonia region, told the Belga news agency that an "ultimatum is not compatible with the exercise of democratic rights". Investment protection has been one of the major sticking points in negotiations between Brussels and Wallonia. The European Union has provided several assurances to salvage the deal. However, anti-globalisation groups say the deal is a test model to push through an even more controversial EU-US trade agreement called TTIP. Sebastian Dullien, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, criticised the Commission for its role in the failure of negotiators to secure an agreement on the deal. "The European Commission carries part of the blame because it didn't quickly seek a dialogue with doubters. And for this type of deal, you need a large consensus," he said. Wallonia has found some support for its position elsewhere in Europe. Greenpeace activists too supported Wallonia, saying the deal risked "corporate greed" and trampled on people's rights and health standards on both sides of the Atlantic. The EU has indicated that it expected Prime Minister Charles Michel to come up with an answer on Monday or it will have to decide with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on "whether to maintain the summit". (WION with inputs from agencies)

EU-Canada trade deal: Belgium rejects EU 'ultimatum' to end objection to CETA

Tens of thousands of people rallied across seven German cities to protest the controversial transatlantic trade deals. 
 
Police were deployed in large numbers to monitor the protests in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt. 
 
Smaller protests were also planned in other European cities, including Vienna and Salzburg in Austria and Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden. 
 
The environmental groups and labour unions claim the free-trade deals with the United States and Canada would undermine democracy and lower food safety, environmental and labour standards. 
 
While exporters are in favour of the deal that promises lower tariffs and a wider base of consumers, the consumers in Europe fear it would it would lead to more outsourcing and consequently job losses.&nbsp; 
 
The European Union executives are negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the United States and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. 
 
Activists say the pacts would hand too much power to big multinationals at the expense of consumers and workers by establishing arbitration courts to settle disputes between companies and governments. 
 
However, a hopeful German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week said EU should keep negotiating with US over the free trade deal.&nbsp; 
 
The next round of negotiations is&nbsp;slated for October 3 in New York. The partnership aims to create the world&#39;s biggest free trade market comprising of 850 million consumers. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Opposition grows against TTIP and CETA trade deals, critics say the pacts would hand too much power to conglomerates

Tens of thousands of people rallied across seven German cities to protest the controversial transatlantic trade deals. Police were deployed in large numbers to monitor the protests in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Frankfurt. Smaller protests were also planned in other European cities, including Vienna and Salzburg in Austria and Gothenburg and Stockholm in Sweden. The environmental groups and labour unions claim the free-trade deals with the United States and Canada would undermine democracy and lower food safety, environmental and labour standards. While exporters are in favour of the deal that promises lower tariffs and a wider base of consumers, the consumers in Europe fear it would it would lead to more outsourcing and consequently job losses. The European Union executives are negotiating the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the United States and the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) with Canada. Activists say the pacts would hand too much power to big multinationals at the expense of consumers and workers by establishing arbitration courts to settle disputes between companies and governments. However, a hopeful German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week said EU should keep negotiating with US over the free trade deal. The next round of negotiations is slated for October 3 in New York. The partnership aims to create the world's biggest free trade market comprising of 850 million consumers. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Protests against Atlantic free trade deals across Europe

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