Canada could become the EU's first "associate member"

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed making Canada the European Union's first "associate member." Why it matters: Canada and the EU are testing whether a nation deeply dependent on the U.S. market can find economic independence by moving closer to Europe.This could also present one of the most permanent effects of President Trump's trade wars: U.S. allies building markets, supply chains and security ties designed to make them less vulnerable to Washington.If the proposal goes through, the shift would pull Ottawa deeper into Europe's economic and security arc