Ursula von der Leyen says "common prosperity and economic space" in EU‑Canada partnership plan

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union’s chief executive, proposed in her annual address that Canada could become the first non-EU country granted a special affiliation status, and she outlined a joint economic initiative spanning manufacturing, technology, defense industries, the Arctic, artificial intelligence, energy and critical minerals. The idea led Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to tell the European Parliament that Canada welcomed the proposal and sought expanded cooperation with Europe, while saying it would not pursue membership. President Donald Trump reportedly rejected the suggestion and warned he could impose severe tariffs or stop trading with the bloc if it moved forward. The exchange comes as Canada is locked in a tariff dispute with the U.S. and as EU-U.S. relations are strained by tariffs and threats concerning territory.