The Canadian climate minister's reluctance to openly commit to cooperation with the EU on its climate policy stems from the fact that Ottawa is effectively seeking an exemption from the bloc's carbon border tax, according to a December 2025 internal document seen by Euronews.
Mark Carney has set June 2027 as the deadline to make Canada the European Union's first-ever "associate member". The category, which has no precedent, has been fiercely opposed by Germany.
The term ‘associate membership’ was dropped from the EU-Canada summit text after German pushback, in a major blow to Commission President von der Leyen. Nonetheless, the two sides are still keen to boost their partnership.