"Leaving the US and joining the EU"? EU-Canada relations are warming, with Ursula von der Leyen extending a rare invitation to Canada to become the EU's first "prospective member."

"Leaving the US and joining the EU"? EU-Canada relations are warming, with Ursula von der Leyen extending a rare invitation to Canada to become the EU's first "prospective member."

The relationship between the EU and Canada may be entering a new phase. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has formally proposed inviting Canada to become the EU's first "quasi-member." If this new framework is ultimately implemented, it will provide new institutional exploration for deepening cooperation between the EU and non-member states.

On September 16, Bloomberg reported that Ursula von der Leyen extended the invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in her State of the Union address in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday. She stated, "In this new world, we must urgently reimagine partnerships and build global alliances to maintain our resilience and democracy. I hope to work with you to open the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union."

According to a previous report by CCTV News , Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Strasbourg, France, and Liverpool, England, from September 15 to 17, seeking to further strengthen relations with Europe. Analysts say that the EU currently does not have a formal category of "quasi-member states," and Canada would likely face a series of obstacles if it sought to obtain this status. Nevertheless, the escalating trade and geopolitical friction between the US and Europe may prompt the EU to consider establishing a deeper cooperative relationship with Canada in a more flexible manner.

It is worth noting that the current trade friction between the US and Canada continues to escalate, and bilateral relations are facing more disagreements. According to CCTV News, in this round of US-Canada trade disputes, along with the trade war, the two sides have also engaged in a "political war." Faced with the US proposal to make Canada the 51st state, Canada has made it clear that sovereignty is not a bargaining chip.

"Prospective Member": A conceptual innovation, details still to be clarified.

Ursula von der Leyen's proposed "quasi-membership" status represents a new cooperation framework for Canada proposed by the EU, with no existing precedent. Regular EU membership involves a lengthy accession process, as well as single market access and obligations related to finance and law. The EU's earlier proposal for "lightweight membership" for Ukraine also drew criticism from some member states.

Currently, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland have special arrangements with the EU regarding the free movement of goods and people, which can serve as a reference for relevant cooperation models. However, these arrangements are all formed on the basis of specific negotiations and there is no unified framework. The report cites analysts who point out that "quasi-membership" currently manifests more as a political and policy initiative, and specific rights, obligations, and institutional arrangements still require further negotiation.

CETA approval still pending, EU-Canada economic and trade cooperation to expand.

According to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, Canada is currently focused on completing the ratification process for the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union). This comprehensive economic and trade agreement was signed nearly ten years ago, and ten European countries have yet to formally ratify it.

The two sides still need to coordinate some trade rules, including the applicability of the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism to Canadian imports, and differences in rules regarding deforestation and pesticide regulation. The aforementioned source indicated that progress is expected before the Montreal summit in October, at which time a digital trade agreement, which has been in the works for some time, is also anticipated to be signed.

According to a previous Bloomberg report, EU officials believe there is still significant room for cooperation between Canada and the EU in areas such as trade, trade, and defense. Canada has been granted access to the EU's €150 billion (approximately US$173 billion) SAFE defense procurement loan program, and bilateral defense cooperation is gradually expanding.

Beyond the "quasi-member" framework, von der Leyen also mentioned cooperation between the two sides in areas such as manufacturing, technology, defense, and energy.

Risk warning and disclaimerInvesting involves risk; please exercise caution. This article does not constitute personal investment advice and does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual users. Users should consider whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are suitable for their specific circumstances. Any investment decisions made based on this information are at your own risk.