Canada and EU drop associate membership plan in bid to deepen ties
Summary
Canada and the European Union plan to deepen their ties but have dropped a proposal for Canada to become an EU associate member. A joint declaration ahead of a Montreal summit sets out areas for cooperation, with work on the future relationship continuing until another summit next year.Key Facts
- The joint declaration says Canada and the EU will pursue an “ever closer association.”
- The declaration omits the associate-membership proposal after some EU countries objected that the idea lacked a legal basis and clear definition.
- The Montreal summit, hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is intended to begin further formal negotiations.
- The proposed cooperation includes new undersea cable infrastructure linking Europe, Canada and Asia.
- The declaration proposes a feasibility study on Canadian liquefied natural gas exports to Europe and expanded opportunities for young people to work across the Atlantic.
- The article says Canada sends nearly 70% of its exports to the United States, while the EU accounts for about 9% of its total trade.
- Donald Trump criticized the associate-membership proposal and warned that the United States could stop trading with Europe on some goods if he viewed it as hostile.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
