Trump brands Canada’s new EU-status ‘a hostile act’ and threatens more tariffs

President Donald Trump has threatened to introduce further tariffs as he hits out proposals allowing Canada to become an associate EU member.

Trump has said that the plans could be seen as a ‘hostile act’ and has threatened to respond by imposing more tariffs depending on the ‘intentions’ of the European leaders involved.

Speaking in Charlotte, North Carolina, Trump said: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.”

He also suggested the US could cut off trade with Europe in certain areas.

His comments come after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed making Canada the European Union’s first associate member.

In her annual State of the European Union address, von der Leyen said Canada and the EU would build on their existing free trade agreement, known as CETA, with a broader ‘Alliance for the Future’ that would be aimed at creating ‘a common prosperity and economic security space’.

She explained that the relationship wouldn’t just be based in trade but also in shared democratic values.

Donald Trump has warned further tariffs could be introduced (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

She said: “Above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy.”

Trump hit back at the proposal for Canada to join the EU as ‘laughable’ and said the country was a ‘terrible trade partner’.

Trump’s tariffs and repeated talk of making Canada the 51st state have soured the historically very strong relationship between the North American neighbours.

Earlier this month, Trump slapped a new ban on imports of alcohol, dairy goods and motorbikes from Canada.

White House officials have said the ban will kick in on 29 September, after retaliatory tariffs promised by Canada were introduced on 8 September.

Trump signed off on a sweeping executive order which will stop the import of a range of alcoholic drinks, including beer sold in cans and bottles, rye whisky and some kinds of wine.

The order will stop the import of whey protein, some mopeds and motorbikes, and molasses.

He also moved to shut Canadian products out of large, long-term US government contracts as Canada’s retaliatory tariffs took effect.

In response to the new ban, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said he would speed up efforts to reduce the country’s dependence on the United States and said his strategy was about becoming more independent.

Canada’s PM Mark Carney is looking to Europe as he plans for his country to become less reliant on the US (Anthony Devlin/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“It’s about ensuring that no country can hold us hostage,” he said.

“And that we can live how we want to live.”

As part of its bid to reduce its dependence on the United States, the destination for roughly 70 percent of its exports, and Carney has called for a ‘unique alliance’ with the EU.

A Canadian official familiar told The Associated Press that Ottawa was exploring ties with the EU that could stop just short of membership.

The official said Canada would seek an arrangement allowing its citizens to live and work in Europe without visas as part of a broader strategic partnership.

Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, said that officials in Canada had talked to the EU about an ‘Alliance for the Future’, and that European officials had raised the idea of associate membership.

Wilkinson said Canada would not be seeking to become a full EU member as that would mean the country had to surrender some sovereignty.

Instead, Ottawa wants ‘to get as close as we possibly can’ to the bloc in a way that strengthens Canadian sovereignty rather than diminishes it, he said.