'Hostile act': Trump threatens EU with tariffs over Canada associate-membership proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press as he arrives at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., Sept. 16, 2026.Kevin Lamarque | ReutersPresident Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union or halt trade with the bloc entirely if it proceeds with its plan to make Canada its first-ever "associate member." "I think it's laughable ... Canada has been a terrible trade partner," Trump told reporters after landing in North Carolina. He conditioned his threat on the intention of European leaders, saying that "if I think it's at all a hostile act, I will put very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things." Trump's remarks came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said EU was opening the door for Canada to become the first associate member of the 27-member bloc. Associate membership doesn't currently exist as a formal category under EU treaties, and any such arrangement would need to be created and ratified by member states. The proposal came as Brussels and Ottawa seek to deepen ties, signaling a significant shift in the EU, which had been lukewarm to Germany's prop...