Critics explode following EU’s bombshell Canada announcement

Early Wednesday morning, the Associated Press reported that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she is open to Canada becoming the first associate member of the European Union (EU). And this bombshell is drawing a lot of reactions.

Euro News' Peggy Corlin wrote, "It's hard to see Canada in the same category as Ukraine, a country which is at war, but von der Leyen's announcement on Wednesday nonetheless sent a strong political signal in a volatile world where historical alliances are shifting."

Berenberg chief economist Holger Schmieding, appearing on CNBC, argued, "I think this is a big step, indeed. Europe is trying to openly form new partnerships or deepen partnerships with all countries in the world that are sort of like-minded. It is not necessarily against the U.S., but it is clearly in favor of making us less dependent on the U.S. and less dependent on China, and that deeper partnership with other countries, like-minded democracies, is actually something we see in the economic re-arm."

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's trade committee, told CNBC, "We have a situation where it is totally unpredictable what the United States are doing and we have aggressive industrial policy by China — and therefore, it’s so important that we strengthen our ties with democratic countries, and Canada is one example."

Barry Andrew, an Irish member of the European Parliament, said, in a statement, "China, Russia and the U.S. have turned their backs on international law. We need new allies."

CBC's John Mazerolle noted that "associate member" is "not a legal designation."

Mazerolle also pointed out, "Achim Hurrelmann, co-director of the Centre for European Studies at Carleton University, says it seems the new agreement is being put together in a hurry. He said the plan might include things like collaboration on a European stockpile of critical minerals, university student exchanges through the Erasmus program and a digital trade agreement."

Hurrelmann told CBC, "There are lots of initiatives, but they don't at this point really amount, from what I can see, to this systematically new step in the relationship. I'm not really sure if the substance will actually justify the new label."

According to Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive and chief economist at the European Policy Centre, "There are existing models of close cooperation. Iceland and Norway, for example, participate in much of the single market through the European Economic Area (EEA). A range of other partial, gradual or associated membership options for candidate countries is being debated."

The news is also drawing a wide variety of reactions on X — some positive, others negative.

Geostrategy expert Dr. Ghazi Ben Ahmed welcomed the news, posting, "I am very happy for Canada and welcome the strengthening of our bilateral relations, but I wonder how the countries of the southern Mediterranean will interpret this new EU initiative; countries that have never had the chance to be offered an ambitious, long-term shared political vision. Post-revolution Tunisia may perhaps be the most painful illustration of this."

Ahmed also posted, "Achieving this would be challenging without initial support and assistance from the EU."

Academic Marc Nixon, however, wrote, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? Just DAYS AGO, Mark Carney told Canadians Canada was NOT LOOKING to become a member of the EU. TODAY, standing beside Carney in the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen publicly declared: 'I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the FIRST ASSOCIATE MEMBER of the EU.' Read that again. This isn't some random commentator floating an idea. This is the PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, directly addressing Canada's Prime Minister, announcing a completely new category of EU relationship that doesn't even currently exist in EU treaties."

Nixon continued, "So Canadians deserve one very simple answer: When Carney said Canada wasn’t looking at EU membership what exactly did he already know? Because 48 hours later, Europe is publicly opening the door. This story just EXPLODED."

Historian Donald Harley commented, "How about making UK an associate member while you are at it?"

Canadian Liz Armitage didn't welcome the news, tweeting, "ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE EU NO THANK YOU !! You are not elected !! I'm Canadian and I don’t want this !! Parliament is not open to discuss this matter Canadians were not consulted or voted on this matter!!"

Political scientist Susan Moghaddam posted, "More corruption behind your latest plan! We see you Ursula Von Der Leyen, who elected you? Canada is literally being run by UK."