On September 16, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the room for her State of the Union address in Strasbourg, proposed “opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.” No such status exists under EU treaties; it would have to be created and ratified by member states.
That evening, speaking to reporters at the Charlotte airport in North Carolina, Trump called the idea “laughable” and said, “Canada's been a terrible trade partner.” He added, “If I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” and, according to AP, “If it's a good intention, that's fine. If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” The threat was conditional, and no tariffs were announced. CNBC reported that EU member states had not responded.
The same day, Trump signed a memorandum titled “Restoring Reciprocity in Government Procurement.” It directs the budget office and the U.S. Trade Representative to “identify and take all steps permitted by applicable law with respect to Canadian origin items in the Federal civil procurement system that can, where warranted, be removed or made non-available for purchase,” and says “Canada has unreasonably imposed new barriers to United States companies seeking to access the Canadian government procurement market.” It sets no deadline and names no products, and it asks the Trade Representative to report developments that “might warrant restoring a Canadian origin item's availability.” CBC reported that it “does not appear to order an immediate ban.” It formalizes Trump's September 8 post saying Canadian products should be ineligible for federal purchasing, which followed his demand of “NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES!” (see Trump Orders "No More Selling Bombardier in the United States," and Republicans From Bombardier States Push Back).
On September 17, Carney told the European Parliament, “Economic integration is now being weaponized,” and afterward said, “This alliance is a positive process; that's my response to the American president. A stronger, more resilient, more sovereign Canada will be a more effective partner with the United States.” Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), who opposes the tariff war, said Canada's turn toward Europe “doesn't help rebuild the good relationship that we once had,” and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) said, “I think it is wrong to have a trade war with Canada.” The two countries have been in an escalating trade fight since 50 percent U.S. tariffs took effect August 22 (see Trump Slaps 50 Percent Tariffs on Most Canadian Goods Over Alcohol, Dairy, and Auto Disputes).