"Europe and Canada have agreed to try to live in a post-Trump world even before he has left the White House"

During the Canada-EU summit in Montreal, leaders agreed to navigate a post-Trump world without directly criticizing him. They opted for discreet preparations for future challenges rather than waiting for a political shift in the US. The summit appeared to be a failure due to the removal of the term "associated member" from the joint declaration, which was seen as a setback. However, this decision reflected deeper strategic considerations, particularly regarding Ukraine's aspirations for EU membership. The absence of the term indicated a shared understanding among participants about the implications of any concessions made to Canada, which could also affect Ukraine and the UK.