EU chief opens door for Canada to become 'associate member' (bbc.com)

Article summary

The European Commission president has expressed support for Canada to become an associate member of the EU, citing shared values and interests. This move is seen as a response to Canada's tense relations with the US and its desire for a unique alliance with the EU. The proposal would involve closer ties in areas such as trade, technology, and defense. The process of associate membership, if agreed upon, could take years to implement.

Main themes

• EU-Canada relations
• global governance
• economic competition
• regulatory environment
• entrepreneurship
• geopolitics
• US-China rivalry

What commenters say

• Middle power democracies need to align and work together to avoid being torn apart by the struggle between the US and China.
• The EU's regulatory environment can be a barrier to entrepreneurship, but it also serves to protect incumbents and ensure social welfare.
• The US prioritizes the interests of billionaires and large corporations over those of entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• China's growing economic and geopolitical influence is seen as a threat to the US's position as a global leader, with some arguing that China has already won due to its strategic investments and alliances.
• The concept of a free market is often misunderstood, and unfettered capitalism can lead to the concentration of power and wealth among a few large corporations.
• The EU's bureaucracy can be overwhelming, but it is not an insurmountable obstacle to starting a business, and many companies do exist and thrive in the EU.
• The US's decline as a global leader is attributed to its own policies and actions, such as its depletion of missile stockpiles and its weaponization of the US dollar.
• China's rise to becoming the world's reserve currency is seen as inevitable by some, but others argue that this is not a guaranteed outcome due to structural and political reasons.