EU Signals Possible Associated Membership for Canada; Carney Courts Brussels

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly engaged Canadian PM Mark Carney at her State of the EU speech, floating the concept of 'associated membership' without specifics. This marks a potential deepening of EU-Canada ties beyond CETA, though the offer remains vague and unconfirmed. The move signals EU interest in closer partnerships with like-minded economies amid geopolitical fragmentation.