European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed opening a path for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, signaling a major expansion of ties between Ottawa and the bloc as Canada seeks to strengthen relationships beyond the United States.

Von der Leyen made the proposal Wednesday during her annual State of the European Union address, telling Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was attending the speech, that she wanted to work with Canada on becoming the EU’s first associate member. The proposal would create a new status that does not currently exist within the bloc.

The EU and Canada already have a close economic relationship through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known as CETA. Von der Leyen said the two sides should build on that agreement through an “Alliance for the Future” focused on economic security and cooperation in areas including advanced manufacturing, technology, defense production, energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and the Arctic.

The proposal comes as Canada’s relationship with the United States has become more strained over tariffs and other disputes under President Donald Trump. Roughly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States, according to AP, and Carney has been seeking stronger economic and security relationships with Europe.

Carney had previously pushed back on reports that Canada was seeking EU membership, saying Canada was looking instead for a “unique alliance” with the bloc. On Wednesday, Carney welcomed the broader push for cooperation but did not specifically address associate membership during von der Leyen’s speech.

The details of the proposed associate-member status have yet to be established. Any arrangement would require further negotiations and agreement among EU member states, with questions remaining about trade access, regulatory alignment, and the scope of Canadian participation in European institutions.