Officials in Brussels reportedly failed to tell the leaders of EU member states that Canada would be joining the political bloc as an “associate member”.
Media outlets linked to Ursula von der Leyen’s European Commission report that the chief Eurocrat failed to inform EU capitals of the move before announcing it during a public speech on September 16.
“We want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible,” von der Leyen said.
“I would like to work with you [Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney] on opening the door for Canada to being the first associate member of the EU.”
According to Politico, EU capitals were “blindsided” by the announcement, which it claims was not included in a draft of the president’s speech circulating around Brussels and Strasbourg mere hours before the event.
The transcripts provided to other EU leaders also reportedly did not include the bombshell, with anonymous capital officials describing the alleged solo run by von der Leyen as “unwise” and “dangerous”.
It is also unclear as to whether any Canadian official had been informed of the announcement, with Ottawa seemingly downplaying the remark following the Commission leader’s speech on Wednesday.
“We’re not there,” the country’s incoming ambassador to the EU said regarding the announcement, adding that Canada was nevertheless interested in “driving results” when it comes to tightening the relationship.
The move also appears to have upset nations outside the bloc, with United States President Donald Trump describing the announcement as “laughable” and warning he would impose additional tariffs on both powers if he perceived the move was aimed at harming America.
Would-be EU allies have also allegedly been put off by the declaration.
Moldova, Ukraine and Montenegro have been working slowly towards joining the bloc for a number of years, with some experts fearing that this new “associate membership” for Canada could be perceived as the North American country jumping the queue.