Carney welcomes proposal for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed a proposal on Thursday for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union. While supporting this closer alliance, Carney clarified that the move is not intended to establish a new bloc designed to rival the world's great powers. This development comes amid reactions from Donald Trump, who characterized the proposal as a hostile act, though Carney maintains the focus remains on strategic cooperation rather than global rivalry.