President Donald Trump pulled out one of his favorite words as he threatened retaliation if the European Union were to admit Canada as an associate member.
Trump told reporters Wednesday that he might respond with “serious tariffs” if Canada were to become integrated with the 27-member EU to a degree that he perceived would be hostile to the U.S. amid a trade war with its northern neighbor.
He called it “laughable” that Canada would become an associate member, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed earlier in the day during her State of the Union speech.
“Canada’s been a terrible trade partner,” Trump told reporters at the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, when asked about the proposal. “If I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” he added.
Trump left open the possibility that he would accept the arrangement if he believed it was made with “a good intention,” but warned that the U.S. could otherwise impose “very heavy tariffs on Europe.”
Von der Leyen first floated the idea of making Canada the first associate member of the EU with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance.
“I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU,” von der Leyen said. She also announced a broader “Alliance for the Future” built on the already existing EU-Canada trade deal.
The proposal caught European capitals off guard, and Canadian leaders appear to be distancing themselves from the idea. It also remains unclear what associate membership would entail, considering no such status currently exists under EU law.
Canada’s incoming ambassador to the EU, Jonathan Wilkinson, quickly downplayed the prospect. “We’re not there,” he told reporters in Strasbourg when asked about it. “What we’re focused on is actually driving results.”
Trump’s Wednesday comments come as Canada seeks to reduce its economic dependence on the U.S. amid the escalating trade war between the two countries. Carney has called for a “unique alliance” with the EU but has stopped short of fully endorsing an associate membership.
Carney is set to address the European Parliament on Thursday.