Carney plans to push for Canada to become an associate member of the EU to reduce reliance on the US.

TechFlow reports that on September 13, according to Jinsii Data, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is advancing a bold proposal aimed at making Canada an “associate member” of the European Union. The move seeks to deepen economic and security ties with Europe, thereby reducing reliance on the United States. The EU has expressed an open stance toward the initiative, while US officials have voiced clear skepticism.

In light of recent tensions in US-Canada bilateral relations, the Trump administration has even threatened to turn Canada into the US’s "51st state," prompting Carney to accelerate his strategic pivot toward Europe. Carney has held private discussions with leaders from France, Italy, Germany, and several Nordic countries, and has directed his envoy to Europe to explore the most ambitious paths for cooperation within a framework of informal membership. Related technical working groups are currently drafting the specific details.