Canada, European Union officials drop 'associate member' from joint summit declaration
SPY•Canada and the European Union dropped the idea of associate EU membership from a joint declaration ahead of a Montreal summit, agreeing instead to pursue “ever closer association.” The declaration proposes a feasibility study on Canadian LNG exports to Europe and says work to define the relationship will continue until another summit next year.
1. Membership wording dropped
Canada and the European Union agreed to “ever closer association” but removed the contentious idea of associate EU membership from a joint declaration seen ahead of a Montreal summit hosted by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The declaration says work to define the relationship will continue until another summit next year.
2. Cooperation proposals
The statement proposes a joint feasibility study on Canadian liquefied natural gas exports to Europe, new subsea cable infrastructure linking Europe, Canada and Asia, and enabling young Canadians and Europeans to work across the Atlantic. It also commits Canada to making its AI and digital rules work alongside Europe’s. Canada sends nearly 70% of its exports to the United States, while the EU accounts for about 9% of its total trade.
3. US tensions cited
The declaration reaffirms a commitment to a rules-based international order and says the leaders “deeply regret” US sanctions on the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court. Trade lawyer Barry Appleton called the statement “highly provocative,” saying its language on multilateralism and closer economic security cooperation could anger the United States. The White House said US and Canadian trade officials are talking.
