Canada builds ties in Europe and Asia, turning away from U.S. amid trade war

Canada builds ties in Europe and Asia, turning away from U.S. amid trade war - The Washington Post

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Battle with Trump is sending Canada into the arms of the E.U.

The head of the E.U.’s executive branch is proposing “associate membership” for Canada, as Ottawa also pursues new trade deals with China.

September 16, 2026 at 6:38 a.m. EDT

Today at 6:38 a.m. EDT

5 min

*Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney watches European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's annual State of the Union address at a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on Wednesday. (Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP/Getty Images)*

By

Ellen Francis

BRUSSELS — Locked in a trade war with President Donald Trump and pivoting pivoting away from the United States, Canada is seeking stronger ties in Europe and Asia as a shield against Washington’s volatility.

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What readers are saying

The comments reflect a strong sentiment of disapproval towards President Trump's policies, particularly in relation to Canada and its relationship with the United States. Many commenters express support for Canada distancing itself from the U.S. and aligning more closely with the... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

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