The European Commission president on Wednesday opened the door for Canada to become the European Union's first "associate member," calling for a fundamental rethinking of the bloc's partnerships amid growing geopolitical and economic challenges.
Addressing the European Parliament in her 2026 State of the Union speech, Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must "urgently reimagine our partnerships" and proposed working with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to bring relations between the EU and Canada "to the highest level possible."
"I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union," she said.
Von der Leyen presented the proposal as part of a broader effort to deepen cooperation with like-minded partners on strategic areas, including energy, critical minerals, batteries, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cybersecurity, and economic security.
The proposal would represent a new form of relationship between the EU and a non-EU country, although von der Leyen did not give details on what an "associate member" status would entail or what institutional arrangements would be required.
Von der Leyen said the EU had to secure access to critical raw materials, strengthen its energy independence, and develop its own capabilities in emerging technologies while cooperating with trusted partners.
She argued that Europe has chosen to pursue a more independent path, saying a stronger Europe is emerging that is better equipped to defend itself, secure its energy supplies, and protect its economic interests.
Economy and energy
Von der Leyen identified restarting Europe's economy as the EU's "number one priority," pointing to the bloc's large single market, industrial base, savings, and currency while acknowledging continued fragmentation in capital markets, networks and purchasing power.
She said the EU had reached a political agreement on a "one Europe, one market" roadmap and called for the overhaul of the single market to be completed by the end of next year.
Von der Leyen also announced a new international connectivity initiative linking the South Caucasus and Central Asia with the European market through the so-called Middle Corridor.
Von der Leyen said Europe cannot remain an industrial powerhouse if its energy prices stay structurally high.
She highlighted the EU’s efforts to reduce dependence on Russian gas through diversified supplies and investments in renewable energy and nuclear power.
Von der Leyen also called for greater electrification, saying the EU’s goal should be to double the share of electricity by 2040.
"In short, let's make Europe's future electric. This is a must," she said.
China and critical raw materials
Von der Leyen also warned that Europe's trade relationship with China had reached a "tipping point," citing an EU trade deficit with China of around €1 billion ($1.1 billion) a day.
She said the bloc is seeking dialogue with Beijing to rebalance trade, but insisted that the dialogue must produce results.
At the same time, she highlighted Europe's dependence on China for critical raw materials, saying the EU is more than 80% dependent on China for many such materials and 90% dependent for some rare earths.
She announced plans for a new “European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials” to help secure and stockpile supplies needed for electric vehicles, chips, batteries, clean technologies, and defense.
Artificial intelligence
Von der Leyen described the issue of artificial intelligence as the second major "tipping point" alongside climate change.
She cited concerns over cyberattacks, self-improving models, and AI systems acting beyond their intended environments, while defending the EU's AI Act as an important framework for establishing safeguards.
Europe, she said, should cooperate with partners including Canada and the UK on AI model evaluation, verification, early warning, and AI security.
At the same time, she stressed that Europe needs its own technological capabilities, particularly in areas linked to national security.
