'Hostile act': Trump livid as EU mulls making Canada its first 'associate member'

" ... If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on Europe after the European Union proposed giving Canada a new form of membership, in a move that could bring the two sides closer on trade, defence and economic security.European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen made the proposal during her annual State of the European Union address on Wednesday, telling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the EU's first associate member.Trump reacted sharply to the proposal, suggesting that the EU's plan could be a "hostile act" and warning that the US could respond with higher tariffs on European goods."If it's a good intention, that's fine. If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe," Trump said, while also suggesting that the US could restrict trade with Europe in certain areas.

Canada seeks closer ties with Europe amid US tensions

The proposal comes as Canada looks to reduce its dependence on the United States following Trump's tariffs and repeated remarks about making Canada the 51st US state.Carney has called for a "unique alliance" with the EU as Ottawa seeks stronger economic and security ties with Europe.

Von der Leyen said the EU and Canada would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, through a wider partnership called the "Alliance for the Future". The proposed arrangement would aim to create "a common prosperity and economic security space."Carney received a standing ovation from European lawmakers after von der Leyen's address. He is scheduled to speak to the European Parliament on Thursday.

What would closer EU-Canada ties cover

The European Commission president said the proposed partnership would go beyond trade and be based on shared democratic values."I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada being the first associate member of the EU," von der Leyen told Carney."Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy," von der Leyen said. "We believe that power does not belong to the strongest, the richest or the loudest, but to all of us.

That democracies have the freedom to choose with whom to work."The expanded relationship would cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defence production, the Arctic, energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security."This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength," she said. "In short, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible."

Trump dismisses proposal and threatens tariffs

Trump called the prospect of Canada joining the EU "laughable" and described Canada as a "terrible trade partner".He said the US would assess the intentions of European leaders before deciding whether to impose further tariffs, leaving open the possibility of a broader trade confrontation.The EU's proposal does not amount to full EU membership for Canada. It is an offer to explore a closer relationship that would expand existing cooperation in trade, security and other areas.For Ottawa, the initiative offers a potential way to strengthen ties with Europe at a time when its relationship with Washington remains strained.