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EU walks back its' offer of "associate membership" to Canada.

BaronVonZemo 64578 posts Joined: Nov 19, 2010

Posted11:43 pm on Oct 29, 2026

It turns out that von der Leyen never consulted anyone beyond her closest staff before sending her offer to Carney. She did not consult with member nations.
Germany, France and others were unhappy, and not in favor. In particular, there is no specific definition for an "associate member".

Carney was trying to sell the idea that they would join as an associate member and then thrash out the definition over the next year. What could go wrong?

Now, Canada has again been in negotiations with the US for the past several weeks wrt tariffs after turning down a sweet deal in late August (undoubtedly with w/ hopes of hurting Trump in the Nov. midterms). Trump now holds even more cards against Carney. (But he'll just overlook the snub and midterm political attack by Carney in this new round of negotiations now that Canada has lost their EU "trump" card as well, right?) Not.

Carney is of course trying to spin this walk back by saying that he is working to build closer relationships with Europe, expanding economic partnership, blah, blah,blah. .

"Elbows up" was a savvy manipulation of Canadian nationalism of a populace informed primarily by CBC sculpted stories that glossed over the many years of unfair trade policy that the US endured. I'm sure that it felt good for a short while.
Now the question Carney supporters need to ask themselves is, "Was it worth it?"

There is also this:
the EU leader van der Leyen acted beyond her power when she promised this associate status to her friend Carney. She actually thought that she could add a member which could ultimately have voting representation to the EU without even consulting the other member's leadership. Member nations, including Germany were said to be "shocked" when she sent Canada the offer. Her position has to be considered weakened from this ordeal.

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/28/european-union-canada

BVZ

0 #6004247

Level 1
Canada is too peaceful for the EU.

iairishcheeks30725 posts 8:42 am on Oct 30, 2026

Maybe if their citizens burned down Toronto or Vancouver, Europe would reconsider.

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Level 1
Probably a blessing in disguise for Canada. They are so afraid of being the 51st he almost walked

LanceManion10715 posts 8:17 am on Oct 30, 2026

Canada into a major mistake.

Dead-eye Pete with 20 pounds of swingin' meat.

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- Level 2
  I read several articles on this including CBC. I thought this was the best, but others note that
  
  BaronVonZemoOP64578 posts 11:58 am on Oct 30, 2026
  
  Italy and Greece were also countries opposing the invitation to associate status - whatever that really means. Germany and France also opposed it with Germany calling the deal a "red line" that they would not cross.
  The only other case in the EU of a partial status is Ukraine - the member countries all voted on bringing them in however which is clearly not going to happen here for Canada, at least at this time. von der Leyen overextended her powers by making the offer, and several of the bigger countries of the EU did not appreciate being strong armed.
  I agree with you that in the long run, Carney's failure here is for the better for Canada whose best deal lies with the US - even now though it will be less beneficial than before carney started to grand stand as well as try to meddle in American politics.
  
  BVZ
  
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- Level 2
  The last thing the US needs is Canada as a state.
  
  Curly191818581 posts 9:07 am on Oct 30, 2026
  
  It's overloaded with non-assimilated immigrants and a horrifically inefficient health care system.
  
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  - Level 3
    We just need their oil not their liberal nut citizens. We can get that without making them a state.
    
    LanceManion10715 posts 9:24 am on Oct 30, 2026
    
    (no message)
    
    Dead-eye Pete with 20 pounds of swingin' meat.
    
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Level 1
Nowhere in the Guardian article can you find the word "Rejected"...Baron would have you believe

TyroneIrish26374 posts 12:59 am on Oct 30, 2026

otherwise. There will be more talks between Canada and the EU on this issue...and the situation with Ukraine will likely influence the outcome.

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- Level 2
  Your obsession/stalking of bvz is creepy dude. Were you in the first season of true detectives?
  
  Frankx6689 posts 8:08 am on Oct 30, 2026
  
  (no message)
  
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  - Level 3
    LOL Frank
    
    ColeyO13146 posts 11:07 am on Oct 30, 2026
    
    (no message)
    
    0 View Single #6004291
  - Level 3
    Not "Creepy" at all...this is an "Open Forum", and our posts are for all to see...and everyone has
    
    TyroneIrish26374 posts 10:59 am on Oct 30, 2026
    
    the opportunity to respond. If Baron chooses to use the "Ignore" feature, that affords him the ability to not see what I post...but...it isn't meant to keep me from commenting on what he posts...i.e. it isn't a one way street where he can say anything he wants and I can't correct him with substance for everyone to see and comprehend...that's the way a Forum is intended to work.
    The fact of the matter is that Baron has frequently commented on my posts, and even stating that he's 'Putting him back on ignore' ;-)...
    Btw, while anyone can use any reason they want for "Ignoring" another board member, Baron has claimed that his reason for ignoring me was that I "threatened" him with a complaint to his State Medical Board regarding his comments on COVID. That would have required me to publicly send a letter and enter into a contentious conflict with someone I didn't know...other than his UHND Username...now does that make any sense?
    Time to get real...Baron has chosen to 'Hide' behind the 'Ignore Curtain' while continuing to make comments about my posts...why?...I have no idea...but it sure comes across as cowardly. That's what you can call "Creepy"...
    
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  - Level 3
    Indeed. Baron didn't say anything was "rejected," but Tyrone needs to pretend that he did.
    
    NedoftheHill47622 posts 10:27 am on Oct 30, 2026
    
    (no message)
    
    Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good.
    
    0 View Single #6004276
    - Level 4
      Is it at all possible to "Intimate" what someone is saying?...of course, and you do it...a lot ;-)
      
      TyroneIrish26374 posts 11:09 am on Oct 30, 2026
      
      (no message)
      
      0 View Single #6004292
      - Level 5
        The best part, of course, is that you can "intimate" whatever you want!
        
        jakers14798 posts 11:11 am on Oct 30, 2026
        
        And create bogus strawmen with it.
        
        0 View Single #6004293
        
        Level 6
        Apparently you can even "intimate" words that were never previously mentioned and put quotes on them
        
        BaronVonZemoOP64578 posts 12:26 pm on Oct 30, 2026
        
        Thanks Frankx, Ned, and jakers.
        Tyrone was caught in a deception once again.
        He put quotation marks on the word "rejected" that I never used to imply that I used it in my post while then noting that the very word that he came up with out of thin air cannot even be found in the article that I linked.
        Ty wishes to discredit me first because he wants to keep the liberal posters here from having any doubts (that's what I suspect is his expected role here on the Open). Secondly, I badly bruised his ego. He is a Wannabe Expert with no actual expertise. It is sorely apparent, and he resents it when it is pointed out. Note how he chimes in as the expert on almost any topic after doing one of his ridiculous AI tutor sessions.
        Ty is quite practiced at his art of deceit. Is it any wonder that I avoid him? I do not find him to be genuine. His thinking is rudimentary and far over-reliant on Google, and now AI. He thinks from his low perch that no one else understands that either of these tools can be turned to emphasize only the result that you want if you ask it properly, and if you omit certain results from your posts.
        Thank you again. I expect that Tyrone feels the need to try to counter every post I make at this point given his insecurity and his job. It's too bad that he chooses to be dishonest. Now, like a true liberal, I expect him to accuse me of what he himself is - even when just caught in deceipt.
        
        BVZ
        
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        Level 6
        Baron indeed 'intimated' that the proposal would/should be rejected...using his own words and not
        
        TyroneIrish26374 posts 11:36 am on Oct 30, 2026
        
        those in the article he linked...here's a copy of Baron's comments...
        ----------------
        The EU leader van der Leyen acted beyond her power when she promised this associate status to her friend Carney.She actually thought that she could add a member which could ultimately have voting representation to the EU without even consulting the other member's leadership. Member nations, including Germany were said to be "shocked" when she sent Canada the offer. Her position has to be considered weakened from this ordeal.
        ---------------
        Read the article...it specifically states...and I quote..."Ursula von der Leyen, surprised nearly everyone by announcing in last month's state of the union address that the EU would consider "associate membership" for Canada"...i.e. she did not "Offer" such membership...and indeed, according the the article, EU members, like Germany, will discuss the proposal.
        In short, Baron 'spun' the article to intimate that the EU would reject 'associate membership' for Canada...he sure wasn't implying support for it ;-).
        
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End of conversation