WorldPosted at: Sep 17 2026 9:53PM


European Parliament President Roberta Metsola touts EU associate member status for Australia and New Zealand after Canada

Brussels, Sep 17 (UNI) After the European Union’s associate member pitch to Canada was warmly accepted by Prime Minister Mike Carney, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Thursday said other countries, including Australia and New Zealand, could follow Ottawa’s footsteps along with other like-minded nations seeking closer ties with the bloc.
Speaking to Europe Today ahead of a speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Metsola described the proposed status as a third way between full EU membership and candidate status.
“There are countries with which we want to deepen our relationship,” Metsola said.
"I don't doubt that it will include other countries, and others will come knocking at our door...In such times of uncertainty, having friends matters."
The EU already has trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, which could provide a starting point for deeper cooperation. Canada has a similar foundation through its comprehensive trade agreement with the bloc.
Metsola said discussions over what associate membership would involve were still at an early stage. Possible areas could include deeper trade ties, access to critical raw materials and shared regulations on issues that “like-minded” countries see as important, including social media and the protection of minors.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the new status for Canada during her annual State of the union address on Wednesday. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed the idea and has been pursuing closer links with Europe amid an increasingly difficult trading relationship with the US.
Canada has been looking to strengthen ties with other “middle powers” as President Donald Trump’s administration imposes tariffs and applies pressure on Ottawa. Trump warned after the EU proposal that Washington could impose additional tariffs on the bloc if the move towards an EU-Canada partnership was considered “hostile”.
The US and EU already have a trade agreement under which the bloc faces a 15% tariff on goods.
Metsola played down the threat, saying the EU views its relationships with Canada and the US separately and does not seek to act against any country.
She pointed to the trade agreement reached between Washington and Brussels last summer and ratified this year, while stressing that the EU’s approach is centred on rules-based cooperation.
A European Commission spokesperson likewise said, “The proposed strengthening of our partnership is not against anyone, but for our common strength.”
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