CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — President Donald Trump suggested that the European Union allowing Canada to become an associate member could be a “hostile act” and threatened to respond to the proposed move by imposing more tariffs on the bloc.
Trump conditioned his threat Wednesday on the “intention” of European leaders, saying that, “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.” He also suggested the U.S. could cut off trade with Europe in certain areas.
Trump called the prospect of Canada joining the EU “laughable” and called America’s neighbor a “terrible trade partner.”
.@POTUS on Canada possibly becoming an associate member of the European Union:
"I think it's laughable… Canada has been a terrible trade partner… If I think it's at all an hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things." pic.twitter.com/AWOFLAZc8I
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 16, 2026
