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

BaronVonZemo 64579 posts Joined:
Posted

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
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  • Level 1

    Canada is too peaceful for the EU.

    iairishcheeks30725 posts

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

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

    LanceManion10715 posts

    Canada into a major mistake.

    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

    TyroneIrish26383 posts

    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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      Your obsession/stalking of bvz is creepy dude. Were you in the first season of true detectives?

      Frankx6690 posts
      (no message)
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        LOL Frank

        ColeyO13147 posts
        (no message)
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      • Level 3

        Not "Creepy" at all...this is an "Open Forum", and our posts are for all to see...and everyone has

        TyroneIrish26383 posts

        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
        (no message)
        Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good.
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        • Level 4

          Is it at all possible to "Intimate" what someone is saying?...of course, and you do it...a lot ;-)

          TyroneIrish26383 posts
          (no message)
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          • Level 5

            The best part, of course, is that you can "intimate" whatever you want!

            jakers14798 posts

            And create bogus strawmen with it.

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            • Level 6

              Apparently you can even "intimate" words that were never previously mentioned and put quotes on them

              BaronVonZemoOP64579 posts

              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 7

                Baron...you're obviously not Ignoring my posts...can we now just confront each other face-to-face?

                TyroneIrish26383 posts

                While not holding my breath as you continue to make false claims and assumptions, here are my answers to what you've just posted...I'll leave your words in the standard text, and put mine in Italics...

                -------------------
                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.

                I've already posted...which you can review...your spin of what the article documented wrt Ms. von der Layen's comments on Canada's possible status as an "associate member"...You said she exceeded her authority and made an Offer to Canada...she did not...as the article quotes her...she said the EU would "Consider" the possibility of such action...which of course would require consultation with all the other nations. Fact is you misquoted her, which is a falsehood.

                As for the use of quotation marks around "Rejected"...it's the use of those marks as "Scare Quotes"...I'll leave it up to you and others to Google what that means. (i.e. I wasn't trying to 'Quote You'...

                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.

                I can't stop you from fantasizing, Baron, but I don't reply to all of your posts...just ones that I find need correction...and ones that I feel I can provide substance for that backs up my alternative perspective...e.g. this one...where you mis-quote, and mis-characterize Ms. von der Leyen's words on an important issue...is one of them.

                As for my 'Ego'...I'm satisfied with my ND Engineering degree as well as Masters degrees in Engineering and Business...along with my career performances in the Aerospace, Nuclear and Computer industries.

                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.

                Fortunately, thanks to my education, I know how to get information that is outside my fields of expertise...i.e. how to seek out sources and ask the right questions of those who do have the needed expertise...for instance, when I first joined the OF and saw your misleading posts regarding COVID-19. As noted to you, I am fortunate to have extended family members who are true expert physicians in the Infectious Disease and Pulmonary/Critical Care (ICU) specialties...so I was/am able to get the very best information on all things COVID...both in fighting the disease, and in treating it. This has been helpful in counteracting your misleading statements regarding the value of Masking...to the point where I documented, with your own posts, your erroneous position, thus hopefully keeping others from making a wrong and harmful choice.

                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.

                Again, I can't stop you from fantasizing and spreading falsehoods...I can only give my substantive input based on personal expertise, or that of others...and reputable sources...all for the purpose of getting to the Truth...and to that end I always invite and welcome different points of view...after all, that's what an Open Forum is for...so, if you truly believe in what you post, how about "Opening Up" and dialoguing Face-to-Face?

                NB...apologies for multiple spelling edits

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            • Level 6

              Baron indeed 'intimated' that the proposal would/should be rejected...using his own words and not

              TyroneIrish26383 posts

              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