Donald Trump suggests EU-Canada associate member deal would be ‘hostile act’ - ft.com

Donald Trump suggests EU-Canada associate member deal would be ‘hostile act’

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Donald Trump suggests EU-Canada associate member deal would be ‘hostile act’

US president threatens to impose ‘very serious’ tariffs on the bloc if the measure is approved

!Donald Trump speaks into a microphone, wearing a red "USA" hat and blue suit at a campaign rally.

*Donald Trump says, ‘Canada’s been a terrible trade partner’

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Amy Mackinnon and Aime Williams in Washington

Publishedyesterday

Updated03:20

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Donald Trump said if the EU approved Canada’s bid for “associate membership” he might consider it a “hostile act” and threatened to impose “very serious tariffs” on the bloc.

“If they do that, if I think it’s at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things,” Trump told reporters in North Carolina, where he participated in a rally for a Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley on Wednesday evening.

Any fresh US levies on the EU would breach the trade deal agreed by Washington and Brussels last year and risk a rapid escalation in economic hostility between the two sides.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen had backed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s proposal for Ottawa to become an associate member of the EU in her annual speech to the European parliament on Wednesday.

“I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union,” von der Leyen said, with Carney in the audience.

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Donald Trump warns the EU over potentially making Canada an associate member

No, I think it's laughable. Look, the whole thing with Canada, Canada has been a terrible trade partner, and no, I don't see that. And if they do that, if I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe. On many things. So if they do that, if Europe does that with a bad intention, if it's a good intention, that's fine. If it's a bad intention, we'll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.

Donald Trump warns the EU over potentially making Ca