Canada could become first ‘associate member’ of the EU…

From the Guardian:

Ursula von der Leyen’s dramatic offer to open the gate to Canada to become the EU’s first ever associate member (9:54) cannot be underestimated in political and trade significance.

Canadian prime minister Mark Carney shakes hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as he attends her State of the European Union address (SOTEU) to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France.

It, at once, aligns what Canadian prime minister Mark Carney called the “middle powers” in his Davos speech in January but creates an opening for a speedy enhanced trade deal particularly on critical raw materials and rare earths.

It also sets Canada apart from the UK which could, once upon a time, have some sort of associate membership with the EU were it not for the drive for a clean break Brexit.

Two points of realpolitik make it possible that the long winding road that typifies third country’s relationships with the EU could turn into a high speed motorway. Canada has something the EU desperately needs: rich supplies of CRM (critical raw materials) and rare earths in a bid to diversify from China which has a stranglehold on both. And Europe has something Canada urgently wants: new market for products it can no longer sell into the US in the face of a trade war with Donald Trump.

Looking at the bigger picture a new enhanced trade deal between the EU and Canada could leave the UK somewhat scrambling in a two speed race. Keir Starmer talked about forging a CRM and rare earths deal with Canada but it never materialised. If political energy in Brussels is now focused on Canada that could be bad news for Andy Burnham.

It’s an interesting one. I have travelled all over Canada and they do live up to their stereotype of being very polite, hardworking, nice people.

Brian O'Neill

Managing Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.