Von der Leyen Repeats 'Associate Member' Plan as EU-Canada to Discuss Closer Ties

12:46 PM EDT, 10/29/2026 (MT Newswires) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated plans for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member" as the Canada-EU summit opened in Montreal on Thursday, describing the proposed arrangement as "association without accession." Von der Leyen first proposed the term "associate member" last month during a European Parliament speech attended by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney has said the "nomenclature" matters less than the substance of the new partnership, as Canada seeks closer international ties amid an ongoing trade dispute with the United States under President Donald Trump. "We want to bring our relationship to the highest level possible," said von der Leyen in her opening remarks of the two-day summit in Montreal. Discussions will focus on a range of strategic priorities, including artificial intelligence, energy, critical minerals, security and climate cooperation, added the European Commission president. Canada is well positioned to gain EU market share, with the Montreal summit offering an opportunity to deepen cooperation in sectors where European demand aligns with Canadian strengths, wrote TD Economics in a note published on Wednesday. Canada could unlock nearly CA$60 billion in additional goods exports, including about CA$50 billion in energy, wrote TD economists in the note. Services export growth since the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement also offers scope for further gains.