Canadian PM Mark Carney on EU associate member offer: "Canada and Europe are each strong"

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told European Union lawmakers in Strasbourg that he welcomed the bloc's invitation for Canada to become an associate member, a status falling short of full membership but deepening economic and strategic cooperation. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the proposal during her State of the European Union address. President Donald Trump dismissed the idea as absurd and an unfriendly act, warning of steep tariffs on Europe if it proceeds. Carney did not address Trump's remarks directly, but said tariffs and financial tools are being used to apply pressure and that supply chains are exposed. The development comes as Ottawa and Washington exchange retaliatory tariffs, and builds on their existing CETA trade agreement, which removed most tariffs.