September 13, 2026 | 03:19 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has proposed that his country become an extraordinary member of the European Union to accelerate its shift toward European cooperation following the collapse of trade talks with the United States.
The Wall Street Journal reported the move, citing sources from both sides. According to the newspaper, the European Union, which is noted for its stringent membership criteria, remains open to Carney’s proposal.
Mark Carney has reportedly spent months holding closed-door talks with leaders across major European nations, including France, Italy, Germany, and the Scandinavian states.
The primary goal of these discussions is to integrate Canada more deeply into the European market.
The report indicates both sides are exploring options to integrate Canada into the EU's $21 trillion (around Rp369.7 trillion) single market across key sectors, including defense, energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals.
Furthermore, discussions are underway regarding an undersea transatlantic cable, joint investments in data centers and satellite networks, and the rerouting of Canadian gas exports to Europe that bypass the U.S.
However, as the publication noted, major hurdles lie ahead along the path toward this unprecedented integration.
Canada would likely need to contribute to the EU budget, relinquish a portion of its sovereignty, and adopt internal EU regulations.
Bloomberg previously reported that the EU and Canada plan to announce a strategic alliance on trade, defense, and technology on September 16 to counter mounting economic and political pressure from the U.S. and China.
Bilateral ties between Washington and Ottawa frayed drastically in 2025 after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports, citing national security concerns and illicit drug trafficking. In response, Canada retaliated with matching tariff measures.
While tariffs were temporarily paused and several attempts were made to resolve the feud, the U.S. subsequently hiked levies to 50 percent on steel and aluminum imports.
According to Bloomberg, the most recent round of trade negotiations collapsed at the eleventh hour due to the position taken by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Read: Trump Visits Ireland, Says Unification Would Be 'Fantastic'
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Canada, Ukraine Pledge 100-Year Partnership
2 hari lalu
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Canada would provide Ukraine with a "very important" air defense package.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy Arrives in Canada Seeking Air Support
3 hari lalu
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the midst of a multi-nation tour to shore up his country's air defenses ahead of winter.
Trump Pledges $5,000 for Each US Adult if Republicans Win Midterms
3 hari lalu
Trump defended the Iran war, tariffs and the White House ballroom, while calling Democrats evil and immigrants animals.
Trump Hits Canada with Import Bans, 50% Tariffs
4 hari lalu
U.S. President Trump has announced new import bans and 50 percent tariffs on some Canadian goods as tensions between the two countries intensify.
Canada Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on US Goods as Trade Tensions Rise
5 hari lalu
Canada imposes tariffs of up to 50% on US goods as trade talks stall and tensions rise between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Donald Trump.
Trump Threatens to Block Bombardier Planes From US Market
5 hari lalu
US President Donald Trump threatens to block Bombardier aircraft from the US market unless the Canadian maker manufactures planes domestically.
US Irks Germany, Europe with Russian G20 Invite, Press Bans
11 hari lalu
Russia's finance minister is at the G20 meeting in Asheville but some key US press corps members are not.
Canada Turns to Europe as Trade Tensions With US Escalate
12 hari lalu
Canada is strengthening ties with the EU as trade tensions with the US push Ottawa to deepen cooperation on trade, defense and economic security.
Which Country Has the Largest Land Area?
12 hari lalu
One nation stands out as the country with the largest land area, and that's Russia.
Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' in US After Trump Order
13 hari lalu
Google Maps now labels Lake Ontario as "Lake America" for US users after Trump ordered the name change, prompting backlash in Canada.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg):watermark(kly-media-production/assets/images/watermarks/bola/watermark-color-landscape-new.png,1125,20,0)/kly-media-production/medias/9300188/original/036780100_1784309060-16__1_.jpg)
