Trump threatened the EU with high tariffs over the idea of Canada’s associate membership

Trump said this during a speech to supporters in North Carolina. According to him, the U.S. is “carrying” European countries with a trade deficit of $200 billion, and in response Washington may say: “You know what? We’re not trading with you anymore”.

The day before, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the European Union’s first associate member. She said that “in this new world” partnerships need to be urgently rethought and global coalitions created for the sake of resilience and democracy, and also emphasized that such a partnership would not be directed against other countries.

Canada is drawing closer to the EU amid the trade war that Trump launched after returning to the White House in 2025. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Ottawa wants to conclude a “unique alliance” with the EU, but is not considering full membership in the bloc.

U.S.-Canada disagreements intensified last month when trade negotiations failed. The U.S. remains Canada’s largest trading partner: annual trade turnover amounts to 620 billion euros, while Canada’s trade volume with Europe is about 130 billion euros.

At the end of July, Financial Times sources said that Trump was ready to impose new tariffs against 60 countries. According to them, advisers warned the White House chief that such measures could lead to economic shocks shortly before the midterm congressional elections in early November.

Sources

• Material: ru.themoscowtimes.com