Canada pursues closer ties with European Union during US trade dispute

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Sunday that Canada wants a special alliance with the European Union. He was clear that Canada is not trying to join the EU, but wants a new kind of partnership. The Wall Street Journal reported that EU officials may be willing to create a new "associate member" status for Canada. This category does not currently exist. Carney will speak to the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week and will also meet UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool. Canada and the US have both placed tariffs of up to 50% on about C$28 billion worth of each other's goods. The US has targeted Canadian steel, aluminium, and lumber. Trade talks between the two countries broke down in late August.