EU's Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become an associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the European Union's first associate member, a striking overture as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs drive Ottawa closer to Europe.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4173x2782+0+0/resize/4173x2782!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fb6%2F61%2F45056a3842fe9f46214cf12059e2%2Fap26259317162978.jpg' alt='Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, right, listens to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during the annual State of the European Union at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Wednesday, Sept 16, 2026.'/><p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the European Union's first associate member, a striking overture as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs drive Ottawa closer to Europe.</p><p>(Image credit: Pascal Bastien)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5970985' />