Europe retreats: the proposal to bring Canada into the European Union has been blocked

The European Union has backed away from its proposal to grant Canada 'associate member' status, following opposition from Germany and other countries. Instead, a framework of 'rapprochement' will be developed by 2027. This was revealed by The Guardian, against the backdrop of Trump's threats of a trade war.

The European Union has retreated from its proposal to open negotiations on granting Canada 'associate member' status, following opposition from several EU member states, led by Germany. This was revealed by The Guardian, which obtained a draft of the joint declaration scheduled for release at the end of the EU-Canada summit taking place today and tomorrow in Montreal. Instead of a commitment to advance associate membership, the draft states that both sides will work to formulate a framework of 'increasing rapprochement of Canada to the European Union, without full membership,' by the next summit in 2027. This marks a significant retreat from the proposal put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month. The announcement was then hailed as a historic move, as the EU has not added a new member since Croatia in 2013. However, the announcement surprised European capitals and sparked political and legal opposition, as the status of 'associate member' is not defined in EU treaties. A diplomat was quoted in The Guardian as saying, 'No one was consulted on the associate membership matter, except for von der Leyen's closest staff.' Behind the controversy lie Trump's threats, who called the proposal 'ridiculous.' Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made clear that his country is not interested in full EU membership.