“We’re honored with the outcomes of such a ballot. It exhibits the attractiveness of the European Union, and it exhibits the appreciation of a really massive share of Canadian residents for the EU and its values,” stated Paula Pinho, spokesperson for European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, on the Fee’s Wednesday briefing, earlier than including that she “won’t go into” a potential EU software from Ottawa.
Later, in response to a journalist’s query, Pinho confirmed that Article 49 of the Treaty on the European Union states that solely European states can apply for EU membership.
Nonetheless, the ballot underscores warming sentiment in Canada towards the EU: Some 68 p.c of ballot respondents stated they maintain a constructive view of the bloc — double the 34 p.c who stated the identical about the USA.
Whereas Canadians overwhelmingly acknowledge Washington as their nation’s most vital worldwide associate, the ballot indicators a shifting tide: Extra respondents noticed the EU overtaking the U.S. as Canada’s major world ally within the subsequent three to 5 years.
Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to energy in Washington earlier this 12 months, he has repeatedly talked about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, whereas triggering a commerce conflict by slapping tariffs on some items coming throughout the northern border.
Ottawa can be intent on deepening coordination with Brussels, particularly on commerce. As Canada’s International Minister Mélanie Joly hosted G7 leaders in Charlevoix on Wednesday, she signaled that aligning with Europe on U.S. retaliatory tariffs will probably be a high precedence.
“In each assembly, I’ll elevate the problem of tariffs, to coordinate our response with the Europeans and to place strain on the People,” Joly stated.
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