Canada explores possibility of obtaining EU associate member status

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering the possibility of the country obtaining associate member status in the European Union.

This format would allow Ottawa to expand economic and political cooperation with the EU without full accession to the bloc. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources.

According to the publication, Carney has spent several months in talks with European leaders about options for closer integration and has instructed a special envoy to explore ambitious formats of cooperation that do not involve joining the EU or its single market. The move is aimed at reducing the Canadian economy's dependence on the United States amid worsening trade relations caused by Washington's imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods, cars, auto parts and steel. In response, Ottawa announced countermeasures and the start of a trade war, and Canada's initiative has already received preliminary support in the European Union.