Brussels/Ottawa, Sept. 16 -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the EU's first "associate member", bringing both Ottawa and Brussels closer for greater collaboration on economy and security matters, as they seek to reduce dependence on the US market amid strained relations with Washington.
In her annual state of the union address, von der Leyen presented the proposal as part of Europe's response to a world where "old assumptions and relationships have frayed".
Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney directly, she said democracies "have the freedom to choose with whom to work".
The proposed arrangement would go beyond the EU and Canada's existing trade agreement, with closer coope...