Merz, von der Leyen clash over EU-Canada 'associate member' status

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are publicly at odds over the EU's relationship with Canada, specifically the use of the term 'associate member.' Berlin blocked the term in a joint statement, but von der Leyen promoted it at a Montreal summit hours later, signaling a rift in EU leadership over the bloc's enlargement and partnership strategy.

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