Trump says Canada becoming EU ‘associate member’ could be ‘hostile act’

United States President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with new tariffs over its proposal to make Canada the bloc’s first “associate member”, suggesting the move could be considered hostile to the US. Speaking to reporters in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, Trump said his response would depend on what European leaders were trying to achieve. “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs,” Trump said. He also suggested the US could stop trading with Europe “on many things”. Trump dismissed the prospect of Canada joining the EU as “laughable” and called the US’s northern neighbour a “terrible trade partner”.