EU opens door for Canada to become first associate member

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has told the European Parliament she wants Canada to become the EU's first associate member.

• Von der Leyen told the European Parliament on Wednesday she wanted to open the door for Canada to become the EU's first associate member.
• She said the expanded partnership would cover advanced manufacturing, technology, defence production, energy, critical minerals, batteries, AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity and economic security.
• Von der Leyen proposed forming a European Security Council including the UK and Ukraine, saying it was urgent "given the nature and scale of the risks at play."
• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, due to address the European Parliament on Thursday, called last week for a "unique alliance" with the EU.
• Von der Leyen named the proposed partnership the 'Alliance for the Future' and said it would replace the existing CETA trade agreement.
• The proposal requires unanimous approval from all 27 EU member states, with some capitals concerned about how Washington under President Trump would react.
• EU-Canada trade has risen 80% since 2016, the source said.
• Von der Leyen described the proposal as a response to 'a world that is openly hostile', part of a rethink of EU partnerships.