“Ultimately, I’m less fussed about what we end up calling it. I’m more fussed about that we have initiatives that are really going to drive prosperity, economic security, and a range of things moving forward,” he said.

The EU and Canada are in the process of identifying areas to upgrade their partnership, including critical raw materials, AI, research and innovation. Asked when those deals could be signed, Wilkinson said they would be coming “pretty soon,” with several planned for the joint EU–Canada summit in October.

“This is not something that you commit to do, and it’s five years later. This is something that we’re looking to do within the next 12 months,” he went on. “I’m not sure what you’re going to call it, but a much deeper and closer relationship.”

The idea of associate membership raised eyebrows among EU diplomats, who said capitals had not been asked whether they supported the plan — and pointed out that no such legal relationship is defined in the bloc’s foundational treaties.

However, two EU officials, granted anonymity to explain the arrangement, said it was a way to brand a new kind of partnership that goes deeper than existing trade, research and defense agreements.