In a negative tone: Canada is moving closer to the EU amid conflicts with the United States

Canada is moving closer to the European Union amid disagreements with the United States. Strengthening ties with the EU is a long—term goal of Ottawa's foreign policy, the Russian Embassy in Canada told Izvestia. Earlier, the media reported that she may even join the European Union. However, after Izvestia's question, the Canadian embassy denied such a scenario. Nevertheless, the actions of the Donald Trump administration are causing a split in the Western camp, pushing the country into the arms of the EU.

Will Canada be able to join the EU

The discussion about Ottawa's accession to the EU began after a recent publication in Politico that such a scenario was unlikely, but possible. Both sides have common values, a historical past and a developed economy, which distinguishes Canada from other countries wishing to join the union: Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans.

"Although Canada and the European Union have a lot in common, EU membership is open only to European states," the Canadian diplomatic mission in Russia told Izvestia.

Canada and the EU are constantly working to expand cooperation. The parties have concluded a strategic partnership agreement and a comprehensive economic and trade agreement, the Canadian diplomats added.

Photo: Global Look Press/Daniel Kalker

However, at the moment, the issue of Canada's accession to the European Union is not being seriously considered either at the official level or in expert circles, the Russian Embassy in Ottawa emphasized to Izvestia.

"Although the Maple Leafs have deep historical, cultural and institutional ties with Europe, including a common heritage with France and the United Kingdom, actual EU membership is something out of the realm of political scientists' game scenarios," the Russian diplomats noted.

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Some experts sometimes refer to Canada as a de facto "associate partner" or even a "virtual member of the EU." However, such assessments only emphasize the privileged nature of Canadian-EU relations, the Russian Embassy concluded.

Photo: Global Look Press/Eric Vidal

Currently, there are nine countries on the list of candidates for EU membership: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine and Montenegro. In addition, the EU considers unrecognized Kosovo as a candidate. Only European countries can apply for membership in accordance with Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union, EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho said earlier. However, there is no precise definition of the term "European country": Cyprus is part of the EU, although it is located on an island that is geographically closer to Asia, and some countries of the association have overseas territories in the Caribbean, Pacific Ocean or Arctic.

Canada is located on another continent, which makes it impossible to classify it as a "European country". Moreover, the possible accession of Ottawa will change the balance of power in the union: Canada will enter the top five EU countries in terms of population and GDP. It is worth remembering that even the comprehensive economic and trade agreement between Canada and the EU, signed back in 2016, was ratified by only 17 of the 27 members of the union, and Cyprus rejected it. Small EU states are afraid of the threat to the internal market and the influx of migrants due to Ottawa's liberal policy on this issue.

Photo: REUTERS/Arlyn McAdorey

There is also no unity in Canadian society and the political elite on this issue. While the ruling Liberal Party is supportive of the EU, the opposition conservatives are more likely to focus on strengthening cooperation with the UK. According to a survey published in March by the research company Abacus Data, 44% of Canadians support the country's entry into the EU, while 34% are opposed. Therefore, Canada's full-fledged accession to the EU is currently impossible in practice.

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How can the EU help Canada in its confrontation with the United States

The growing tariff pressure of US President Donald Trump on Canada, with the periodic remarks of the White House host about the "51st state", encourages the political leadership in Ottawa to strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries outside North America. Logically, the EU will help in the confrontation with the American administration.

— Ottawa participates in the EEA programs on climate, digital technologies and defense. Canada sees the comprehensive strengthening of ties with the European Union as a strategically important and long—term vector of foreign policy," the Russian Embassy in Canada told Izvestia.

Photo: REUTERS/David Ryder

Recall that on February 1, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed a decree on the introduction of 25% customs duties on all Mexican and Canadian goods, with the exception of oil and electricity, for which a tariff of 10% was set. In response, Ottawa imposed duties of 25% on American goods worth 30 billion Canadian dollars. The parties agreed on a postponement, but in March the restrictions came into force. Trump also does not rule out an increase in duties on cars manufactured in Canada in the future.

It is important that Washington, until recently, was Ottawa's main partner in all respects. The United States accounts for 63% of Canada's trade turnover, the countries have a unified air defense system (NORAD), and deep political ties have been established. The abrupt change in Washington's policy is forcing Ottawa to step up cooperation with other partners.

Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

Canada may seek ways to organize imports from the EU with subsequent transit to the United States within the framework of the USMCA free trade area (free trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico. — Ed.). This will partially reduce the effect of the tariff standoff with the United States and offset some of the costs, Ivan Loshkarev, associate professor of the MGIMO Department of Political Theory, told Izvestia.

"The point is also to demonstrate the unity of liberal democracies at a time when the United States is reconsidering its role in the world and seeking to reduce the burden of responsibility for this unity,— the expert emphasized.

Photo: TASS/EPA/TOMS KALNINS

In economic terms, further integration of Canada and the EU is unlikely. Politically, it is possible to deepen cooperation in the field of security, intensify dialogue within the framework of NATO: exercises, joint actions in the Arctic, as well as the creation of dialogue platforms on something like "climate security" and "blue economy" (rational development of ocean resources), Loshkarev concluded.

Canada is gradually joining European institutions: Ottawa is a member of the Council of the European Space Agency and an observer in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. In the future, it can harmonize its economic and trade policies with the EU, as Norway and Iceland are doing.