Australia and New Zealand Could Follow Canada as EU Associate Members, European Parliament President Hints

Australia and New Zealand could potentially follow Canada in becoming "associate members" of the European Union, the president of the European Parliament has suggested. The prospect of a new tier of relationship comes as European leaders explore deeper alliances amid mounting global trade tensions.

The concept of EU associate membership was first raised by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg, France. Speaking at the European Parliament on Wednesday, Ms. von der Leyen floated the idea of Canada becoming the first associate member of the trading bloc.

While formal associate membership status does not currently exist within the EU framework, it is envisioned as falling short of full membership. According to the reporting, such a status could involve closer regulatory alignment, limited access to parts of the single market, and participation in specific EU programmes.

Following the proposal, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told Europe Today that Australia and New Zealand could explore a similar path. Ms. Metsola pointed to both nations as examples of deep relationships with the EU, noting that trade agreements are already in place alongside ongoing discussions regarding critical minerals, social media policies concerning children, and broader strategic alliances.

"There are countries with which we want to deepen our relationship," Ms. Metsola said, adding that she expects other nations to knock on the door of the EU. "In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the proposal during an address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, stating that Canada and Europe are stronger together and must deepen cooperation to protect citizen prosperity. Mr. Carney emphasized that the partnership pursuit is aimed at building collective resilience rather than forming a rival global power bloc. He outlined several key areas for potential cooperation, including critical minerals, defense industrial capacity, artificial intelligence, computing, energy security, space, payments, and digital trade.

The push for closer transatlantic ties has also drawn sharp criticism from the United States. US President Donald Trump derided the overtures to Canada as "laughable" and threatened to impose serious tariffs on Europe or halt trade in numerous sectors if he deemed the proposed associate membership to be a hostile act.

In response to the US warnings, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill maintained that the initiative is not directed against any other nation. Mr. Gill clarified that the strengthening partnership with Canada is intended solely to build common strength rather than act as a hostile maneuver.

Any move toward associate membership remains some distance away. The proposal has not yet been fully fleshed out, and all 27 member states of the European Union would need to approve the plan before it could proceed. Furthermore, the initiative faces domestic political hurdles in Ottawa, where some of Prime Minister Carney's political opponents have expressed skepticism about the concept.

As discussions continue, the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment regarding the European Parliament president's remarks about Australia's potential trajectory alongside New Zealand and Canada.