U.S. President Donald Trump says he will cut trade with the European Union if the bloc moves forward with a proposal to make Canada its first associate member. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump called the idea “laughable” and said that if he views it as a hostile act, he will impose “very serious tariffs” or stop trading with Europe. He also said heavy tariffs are possible if he considers the proposal to have negative intent.
The proposal is attributed to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who raises the prospect ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s scheduled appearance before the European Parliament. Sources also describe the timing in the context of efforts by both Canada and the EU to adjust their approach amid Trump’s leadership and associated U.S. policy pressure. Across coverage, the central point is Trump’s trade threat tied to the EU’s Canada associate-member plan, with outlets differing mainly in wording and emphasis.
Meanwhile, the EU’s approach is characterized as aiming for closer cooperation, including in areas such as technology, defense and energy, as part of von der Leyen’s pitch to Carney and parliamentary audiences.
