EU offers Canada 'associate membership' amid US trade war

The European Union has invited Canada to become its first associate member amid a historic breakdown in U.S.-Canada relations. Trade talks between the two collapsed last month, triggering retaliatory tariffs between the North American neighbors.

“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada being the first associate member of the EU,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during her annual State of the European Union address Wednesday.

In her overture to Canada, von der Leyen laid out her vision of working collaboratively with Canada on manufacturing, technology, critical energy minerals and the defense industrial base, but did not further describe what associate membership to the European Union might entail.

"Associate membership" does not currently exist in the EU structure and has no binding definition in EU law.

Carney, who was in attendance for the speech, is on the European stage this week to pursue a deeper economic and security alliance with Europe while seeking to reduce Canada's dependence on the U.S. as its relationship with Washington has deteriorated following President Donald Trump's tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state.

Carney is due to address the European Parliament on Thursday.

In meetings with members of the European Parliament, the prime minister will seek to “strengthen Canada’s ties with the EU in trade, investment, and security," a government statement announcing his visit said.

"This is not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength. In short, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible," von der Leyen said. "And dear Mark, I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union."

“Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy,” von der Leyen said to Carney.

Carney earlier this week said Canada is seeking a "unique alliance" with the EU but stopped short of calling for full membership in the 27-nation bloc. The EU is a political and economic partnership of 27 European countries that share laws, trade, and security.

“We’re not looking to become a member of the European Union. What we are looking and will begin discussion for, is a unique alliance with the European Union, between Canada and the European Union,” Carney said, speaking to reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.

Roughly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States.

In August, the Trump administration enforced 50% tariffs on some Canadian goods, targeting dozens of products from hockey sticks to wine, after the U.S. and Canada failed to reach a trade deal. Canada responded with dollar-for-dollar counter-tariffs which went into effect in September.

Both U.S. and Canadian officials blamed the other side for the trade talks falling through.

ABC News has reached out to the White House for comment.