With its U.S. alliance under pressure, could Canada join the EU?

In recent months, the relationship between Canada and the United States has come under serious strain. With U.S. President Donald Trump threatening economic repercussions if Canada does not comply with his demands, some commentators have started to suggest an unlikely solution: What if Canada joined the European Union?

The idea of Canada becoming a member of the EU was first proposed by Stanley Pignal, a columnist with The Economist, who noted that both Canada and Europe may be in the market for upgraded alliances. This suggestion was met with some excitement online, with former diplomats and politicians endorsing the idea.

Legally speaking, it is possible for Canada to join the EU. Article 49 of the Treaty on European Union allows for any European state that respects democratic values and human rights to become a member. While Canada is not located in Europe geographically, it shares many values with European countries and has strong political and legal institutions modeled on European precedents.

There could be benefits for both Canada and the EU in forming a closer union. Canada could offer the EU access to strategic resources like rare earth minerals and fossil fuels, while gaining access to Europe’s skilled labor market and reducing its dependence on the United States.

However, the likelihood of Canada joining the EU is slim. The EU already has a long waiting list of candidate countries, and expanding membership to include a non-European country like Canada could be met with resistance from current members. Instead of full membership, it is more likely that Canada and the EU could deepen their cooperation in areas like politics, economics, culture, and security.

Despite the challenges, some European leaders are open to expanding the definition of Europe to include Canada. The two entities already collaborate on initiatives like Horizon Europe, a research grant program, and there is potential for further strategic partnerships in areas like green technology and resource sharing.

Ultimately, any move towards closer ties with Europe would not be a simple one for Canada. The country’s strong ties with the United States, both economically and strategically, would be difficult to replace. Additionally, there is a risk that deepening ties with Europe could provoke further aggression from the United States.

While the idea of Canada joining the European Union may be far-fetched, it has sparked a conversation about the country’s place in the world and the potential for new alliances in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Whether or not Canada ultimately decides to pursue closer ties with Europe remains to be seen.