United States President Donald Trump did not welcome Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for Canada to become the first associate member of the EU. The tycoon threatened serious repercussions if Brussels and Ottawa were to continue down this path.
What did he say
“If they were to do that, and if I were to deem it a hostile act, I will apply very heavy tariffs or sever trade with Europe,” Trump said on the issue after stepping off Air Force One in North Carolina. The tycoon spoke with a tone of contempt about the European Union’s initiative: “I find it ridiculous.”
The president traveled to North Carolina to attend a campaign event in Gastonia in support of Michael Watley, the Republican candidate for Senate in the state. The competition is very close ahead of the midterms, with Democrat Roy Cooper appearing ahead in the most recent polls (50.2 percent versus 42.4 percent).
The situation
The rapprochement between the European Union and Canada comes after the trade war between Ottawa and Washington flared up again between the end of August and the beginning of September. Trump responded to Ottawa’s counter-duties by blocking the import into the United States of most Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and some specific categories linked to the dairy sector.
This is why Canada has looked overseas to find economic support and commercial outlets for its products. We already have a solid partnership with the European Union and a free trade agreement that has removed most tariffs in the two markets. Now, however, von der Leyen has proposed a new status to Prime Minister Mark Carney: associate member of the EU. What this new legal institution will entail is not yet clear, but it was enough to infuriate Trump.