Ursula von der Leyen backs Canada’s ‘associate membership’ bid

{"text":[[{"start":9.88,"text":"Ursula von der Leyen has endorsed Mark Carney’s pitch for Canada to become an “associate member” of the EU, in a bold proposal from the European Commission president to deepen ties with Ottawa as a way for Brussels to withstand pressure from the US and China."}],[{"start":26.32,"text":"“I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the European Union,” von der Leyen said on Wednesday."}],[{"start":38.52,"text":"Speaking to the European parliament, with Carney in the audience, von der Leyen’s proposal sparked a standing ovation from lawmakers."}],[{"start":45.68,"text":"“In short, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible,” she said."}],[{"start":51.92,"text":"Donald Trump’s trade war against the EU and Canada and his belligerent attitude to Nato have spurred efforts by western liberal democracies to work more closely together. Carney has called for so-called middle powers to coalesce in defence of multilateral global governance — though several EU governments remain sceptical, partly because they are wary of alienating the US president."}],[{"start":74.32,"text":"“This is not a partnership against anyone else, but for our common strength,” von der Leyen said. “We see the world with the same eyes.”"}],[{"start":null,"text":"

"}],[{"start":82.76,"text":"The EU has no framework for “associate membership”, meaning von der Leyen’s proposal would need the unanimous approval of the bloc’s 27 member states. In addition to concerns about Trump’s reaction, several capitals are wary of granting Ottawa preferential treatment beyond existing trade and investment partnerships."}],[{"start":101.84,"text":"Canadian and EU officials had initially floated the concept of associate membership in the weeks leading up to Carney’s visit to Strasbourg. But in the face of scepticism from EU capitals and Carney’s domestic political opponents, the Canadian prime minister this week said he was instead seeking a “unique alliance” with the bloc."}],[{"start":120.16,"text":"An EU-Canada free trade deal, known as Ceta, is still not ratified by 10 EU member states, including France, Italy and Poland, nine years after being signed. Several EU member states have suggested ratification should first be completed before embarking on new steps."}],[{"start":136.72,"text":"Ceta is in force provisionally, meaning tariff cuts, customs rules and market access for goods and services already apply. But with elections due next year in France, Italy and Poland, the prospects for ratification in those member states are dimming."}],[{"start":153.28,"text":"Von der Leyen on Wednesday said that the two sides “will move from Ceta to an Alliance for the Future, to create a common prosperity and economic security space”."}],[{"start":163.44,"text":"That would include elements such as “intelligent manufacturing”, “a tech alliance” and “mak[ing] the Arctic a flagship joint project”, von der Leyen said. “We will integrate defence industrial bases . . . We will work on energy, critical minerals and batteries. On AI, quantum, cyber and economic security.”"}],[{"start":188.84,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1789552427_9379.mp3"}