Associate membership wouldn’t simply be about rebranding the EU’s existing relationship with Canada or a euphemistic catch-all for a closer relationship, but creating a new category of partners for enhanced free trade and cooperation on areas including defense, AI and high-tech science, according to an EU official with knowledge of talks.
There would be no political rights or free movement, at least for now. Canada would be the first, but potentially not the only, country in the club: Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan have all been mentioned as possible future members, the official added.
But a fifth diplomat was skeptical about what the result of such an arrangement would be and how it would materially differ from the close partnerships the EU already has with its allies.
A different diplomat pointed out that 10 EU countries have not yet even ratified the bloc’s free trade agreement with Canada, CETA, which was signed almost a decade ago, while three have yet to approve the Strategic Partnership Agreement. A more daring pact would likely require the political enthusiasm of EU governments.
Germany also struck a cautious tone at a press conference on Wednesday.
“Canada is an especially close partner for Europe. That is why we are open to discussing new models of partnership,” government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said. But on the “associate member” label, he added: “I think we should give that some more thought.”
Camille Gijs contributed reporting from Brussels. Zoya Sheftalovich contributed reporting from Strasbourg. Oliver Noyan contributed reporting from Berlin.