Canada and EU drop associate membership plan in bid to deepen ties

Canada and the EU have decided to deepen their ties but will not pursue the idea of associate EU membership. This decision comes ahead of a summit in Montreal, where Prime Minister Mark Carney aims to lessen Canada's dependence on the US. The joint declaration emphasizes ongoing work to define the Canada-EU relationship, despite previous suggestions of associate membership being contentious among EU nations. The summit will also address initiatives for international connectivity and energy exports. However, the move may provoke tensions with the US, particularly given Trump's previous criticisms of the associate membership proposal.