This article is a nothing burger delivered by Springer media in my opinion. It cites three unnamed sources, and the announcement of a closer EU-Canada relationship can’t be a ‘surprise’ for EU member states as Carney’s government spent the last year mapping out possible new forms of relationship with the EU (and across the globel).
Canada will not become a full member in the near future, nor will it take part in the single European market nor a member of the Schengen area. Things like these take years. But these is not necessary now as Canada and the EU can collaborate far beyond the current CETA, e.g., with fastt-track travel access, a free® movement of people (as the EU agreed with Australia, allowing its citizens 4-year visas that doesn’t require a job offer),
Canada and Europe can cooperate in defense (Ottawa wants into Britain’s rapid-response defence club, as it has said), and align its regulatory regimes (it would be good for Canada’s privacy laws as we can assume), alinging standards (pharmaceutical, financial services, …), collaboration in critical minerals, energy, and so forth. There’s a lot room imho, and its good that there are clear steps in this direction.
“Nobody really knows what it means,” said one of the envoys, who has been involved in talks with the Commission about relations with Canada in recent days. “Member states have tried to manage expectations. There are only warm feelings for Ottawa, but we need to know what the details are.”
My guess it’ll end up just being a symbol of political alignment between the two.
Isn’t that how some of the best relationships start though? Gotta take it slow and get used to things, see what we both are interested in and require in return. Then move on, or not, depending how things have gone and where you meet on issues. Bit analytical but kinda a good way to approach things.
The EU commission says one thing while the reality of getting it past the vetoes of 27 member states is quite another. CETA is still only in provisional effect with 10 member states still to ratify.
And there remains a huge issue that dare not speak it’s name: Canada is a member of NAFTA 2.0 (I.e. USMC Agreement). For all Trumps nonsense, it is still technically in effect, and the fewer barriers between the EU and Canada, in effect the fewer barriers between the US (and Mexico) with Canada. That complicates any relationship and treaties with Canada.
At this stage, the “associate membership” is nothing more than a PR exercise, possibly intended to put pressure on Trump or possibly opportunistic to bring Canada into Europe’s sphere of influence, and potentially going to piss off European governments if poorly handled.
