Donald Trump does not like being upstaged, and Brussels’ outreach to Canada has clearly touched a nerve. A day after the EU floated a new alliance with Ottawa, the US president threatened to end trade with Europe altogether. A symbolic gesture now risks turning into a real trade war.
Mr Trump warned that he could impose “very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe”, according to The Guardian. “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine,” he said. “If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.”
Mr Trump dismissed the proposal as “laughable” and suggested that closer ties between Brussels and Ottawa could amount to a hostile act. The threat came one day after Ursula von der Leyen used her State of the Union speech to offer Canada a new relationship with the bloc. She proposed cooperation covering technology, defence, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and the Arctic.
As EU Perspectives reported, the EU treaties do not currently contain an associate-membership category. Brussels and Ottawa would therefore have to define its meaning, while any final agreement would require the approval of all 27 member states.
Early test for the new alliance
Ms von der Leyen insisted that the proposed partnership was “not against anyone else” but intended to increase the common strength of Europe and Canada. Mr Trump’s response has nevertheless framed the offer as a challenge to American influence.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended Ms von der Leyen’s speech after seeking to reduce his country’s dependence on the United States. Canada has also applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force, strengthening its defence links with European NATO members.
If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe. — Donald Trump, President of the United States of America
The possibility of another trade confrontation had already surfaced during Parliament’s debate. Renew Europe leader Valérie Hayer (Renew/FRA) called for Europe to retaliate if Washington imposed new duties. “If Trump imposes tariffs, let’s collectively respond with tariffs,” she said.
The associate-membership offer remains politically ambitious but legally undefined. However, Mr Trump’s reaction shows that the proposal has already acquired geopolitical significance before negotiations have even begun.
