# EU chief opens door for Canada to become 'associate member'

https://mins.news/en/item/60667

- BBC News, 2026-09-16 09:34 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwyzrr9d3dko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

> European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen backed proposals for Canada to become the EU’s first “associate member”, with closer cooperation in areas including energy, critical minerals, batteries, AI, cyber and economic security. The proposal comes as Canada seeks a “unique alliance” with the EU amid tense relations and collapsed trade talks with the US.

## Stories

- [Canada US trade and tariff tensions](https://mins.news/en/topic/canada-us-trade-tensions) — Markdown: https://mins.news/en/topic/canada-us-trade-tensions.md

## Related coverage

- [EU chief von der Leyen proposes ‘associate member’ status for Canada](https://mins.news/en/video/61938) — Al Jazeera English, 2026-09-17
- [Is the EU’s offer to Canada a blueprint for Britain – or a reminder it is out in the cold?](https://mins.news/en/item/61528) — The Guardian, 2026-09-16
- [EU chief von der Leyen proposes ‘associate member’ status for Canada](https://mins.news/en/item/61029) — Al Jazeera, 2026-09-16
- [EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says she wants Canada to become bloc’s first associate member](https://mins.news/en/item/60596) — CBC News, 2026-09-16