Taking on Trump: Canada and EU forge closer ties – The Latest
Summary
The Guardian’s Europe correspondent John Henley analyzes the EU’s unprecedented proposal to grant Canada associate membership, a move that blindsided officials and drew sharp criticism from President Trump. The discussion covers potential cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and defense, while clarifying that this status is not intended for European nations like the UK. The episode frames this alliance as part of a broader shift toward "middle powers" forming new partnerships in response to the unraveling of the rules-based world order.
Topics discussed
Sponsor segment: Quo business phone system
Introduction: EU-Canada associate membership news
Surprise announcement of associate membership
Mark Carney's address and cooperation areas
Trump's reaction and tariff threats
Why the UK is excluded from this deal
UK's 'commitment issues' and long-term EU ties
Middle powers, global order, and the forest metaphor
Outro and credits
Sponsor segment: Black Box podcast
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