Australia and New Zealand could follow Canada into associated EU membership, Metsola tells Euronews

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Published: 2026-09-17T07:39:25.695Z • Permanent link

Metsola's comments to Euronews mark a significant development in the EU's efforts to expand its international cooperation. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has long been a proponent of the idea of associate membership for Canada, which would allow the country to maintain close ties with the EU while also maintaining its sovereignty. Trudeau has argued that such a partnership would enable Canada to leverage its economic and technological strengths to address global challenges. Metsola's comments suggest that the EU is taking a more active role in promoting this idea, which could have significant implications for the global economy.

The EU has long been keen to strengthen its ties with like-minded countries, and associate membership is seen as a way to do just that. This approach is also seen as a way to counterbalance the influence of the United States, which has traditionally been a dominant player in global economic affairs. Metsola's comments are also seen as a way to build support for the EU's agenda among other countries, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region. For example, the EU has already established a free trade agreement with Japan, which is seen as a significant step forward in its efforts to expand its influence in the region.

The potential for associate membership to strengthen EU-Canada cooperation is significant. Both countries share a commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and have a long history of cooperation on issues such as trade, security, and climate change. Associate membership would allow the EU and Canada to work together more closely on a range of issues, including trade, investment, and research and development. This could have significant benefits for both countries, particularly in terms of promoting economic growth and job creation.

The potential for EU-Canada associate membership to shape the global economy is significant. For companies such as Airbus and Siemens, which have a significant presence in both the EU and Canada, this development could provide new opportunities for collaboration and growth. Research communities such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) could also benefit from increased cooperation between the EU and Canada, particularly in terms of funding and collaboration on research projects.

The impact of EU-Canada associate membership on the global economy is also likely to be felt in markets such as the Canadian dollar and the euro. A strengthening of EU-Canada ties could lead to increased investment in both countries, which could drive economic growth and stability. This, in turn, could have a positive impact on global markets, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region. For example, the EU has already established a free trade agreement with Japan, which is seen as a significant step forward in its efforts to expand its influence in the region.

The idea of EU-Canada associate membership is not new, and has been discussed at length in recent years. However, Metsola's comments mark a significant shift in the EU's approach, and suggest that the EU is taking a more active role in promoting this idea. This approach is also seen as part of a broader pattern of EU efforts to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific region. For example, the EU has already established a free trade agreement with Japan, and has also launched a number of initiatives aimed at promoting economic cooperation with countries such as China and India.