Canada will never be the 51st state of the US. But could you join the European Union?

Donald Trump’s threats from Canada and Granelândia annexation have ran into Canadian and European gallândia, and the idea of ​​a new type of transatlantic alliance is gaining strength – on both sides of the ocean.

In March, at the time just elected Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney a phrase as strong as it is perennial: “We will never do part of the USA”.

But could the US country join another state union?

The German politician Joachim Streit Never stepped on Canadian soil. But that did not prevent him from launching a TENAZ CAMPAIGNof one man, who describes as “aspirational”: to make the country Canada joins the EUtells the.

“We have to strengthen the European Union,” said Streit, who last year was elected member of the European Parliament. “And I think Canada-as his prime minister says- It is the most European country outside Europe“.

Joachim Streit, who sees the American country as a natural partner for the EU during turbulent geopolitical timesbelieves that the narrowing of this relationship could benefit both parties.

“The Canadians They saw their trust in the shaken USlike us in Europe, following the actions of President Trump, ”explains Streit.“ We need Strengthen the ties that unite us with our friends“.

To the proposal It is not completely unprecedented. In January, in an interview with, Sigmar Gabrielformer Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, also defended the inclusion of Canada in the EU, stating that Canadians “are more European than some Member States Europeans ”.

The idea of ​​Canada’s adhesion to the European bloc is actually one, which approached him in January, in a political analysis in which he explains “why Canada should join the EU“.

No Canada, Public opinion seems receptivesays The Guardian. One held in February revealed that 44% of Canadians believe that your country should explore the idea of ​​adherence to the EU.

The entrance of Canada would bring substantial assets to the European bloc. “If Canada were a member, it would be the 4th largest GDP in the EU“, observa Strait.

Founding member of NATO, Canada has highly qualified labor (58% of active Canadians have university diplomas) and their vast energy reserves could strengthen the European bloc, while it works to Reduce dependence on Russian gas.

Critics of the idea point to a apparently insurmountable obstacle: The Treaty of the EU specifies that only European states can apply to adhesion. However, the German politician devalues ​​this technical detail, citing precedents such as French overseas territories and the island of Cypruswhich is geographically located in Asia.

Streit also points out that, Technically, Canada borders the EU. Indeed, Gralelândia, which is part of Denmark, shares with Canada the little one in Nares Strait.

With only 1.2 km²the island was disputed between the two countries until 2022, the year when A Treaty established a border between the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the gronelland territory.

In April, Streit the European Parliament on the possibility of the Treaty of the EU being interpreted or reviewed to accommodate Canadian adherence, and proposed, in an article in, a exchange program between EU and Canada employees – A kind of erasmus politicalcommercial and scientific.

Finally, Joachim Streit recalls that Canada is part of the British Commonwealth. “Who is the head of state of Canada? King Carlos. And he’s European. ”

Recognizing the challenges that your idea faces, Streit remains pragmatic, suggesting that, even if full adherence is impossiblethe current moment could be used to establish deeper tiessimilar to those with Norway or Switzerland.

“Sometimes in history, Opportunity windows open and close Again, ”he reflects.“ And sometimes, the windows of opportunity are open only for a brief moment“.

If on the Canadian side the idea of ​​adhesion seems to be well welcomed, there are no polls that reveal What do EU citizens think about it – Which are, despite all, used to see Israel to compete in UEFA competitions and Australia participate in the Eurovision Festival.

Maybe soon we have to be called to decide what defines the European Union, and what countries of it should be part – whether they are merely geographical criteria, or the moral principles and values ​​that we defend.