President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that the United States could impose "very serious tariffs" on the European Union or even "stop trading with Europe" if Brussels proceeds with a proposal to make Canada an associate member of the bloc, a move he dismissed as "laughable".
Trump said the United States would judge the EU plan by intent, adding: "If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe." His comments signalled a sharp reaction to an idea that, if adopted, would mark the first time the EU granted associate membership to a non-member country.
The president’s rhetoric raises the prospect of fresh transatlantic trade tensions at a time when relations between Washington and Brussels have been periodically strained over tariffs, defence spending and trade policy. Trump’s remarks did not specify what form any sanctions would take or a timeline for action.
The remarks came as Mark Carney has reportedly been pursuing closer engagement with Europe and seeking to diversify defence ties, underlining a wider realignment of diplomatic and security relationships involving Canada and Europe. How the EU and Canada respond to both Carney’s outreach and the president’s warning remains unclear, as does whether Brussels will advance the associate membership proposal.
European officials have previously said that associate membership would be unprecedented for the bloc, and the idea is likely to spur significant debate in Brussels and among member states if pursued. Any formal move by the EU could prompt consultations with trading partners and potentially trigger further political pushback from the United States.