Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament a day after Ursula von der Leyen’s surprise proposal to make Canada the EU’s first “associate member” left capitals scrambling.

Open questions include what the new status would mean, how it would differ from existing partnerships — and how Washington would react, after Donald Trump threatened “serious tariffs” on Europe if it followed through.

Carney name-checked the term, lauding von der Leyen’s “opening the door to Canada becoming the EU’s first associate member,” adding that he welcomes the ambition.

“Polling shows an overwhelming majority of Canadians support much closer ties. An alliance for the future is a unique, positive approach that we will define together, building on our common strengths and based on shared values,” he said.

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