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Australia says it could follow Canada in forging deeper ties with EU

254 points · 216 comments · doener

bhaak · 1789602929 · focus · HN ↗
That's a brilliant move by von der Leyen and Mark Carney (I guess he's in on it as well).
There is currently no such status as "associate member" defined in the EU treates although the idea of special status for not being a complete member was floating around for a while now.
Just calling it a "unique alliance" or "deepening of their relationship" wouldn't have had such a public effect.
Half of the right wing influencers on X is going bananas because when the US was "offering" Canada to join them, they said a firm "NO" but for the EU they are opening the door.
Trump even said when the Canada joins the EU as associate member, it could be considered a hostile act.
All that for a status nobody knows yet what it will entail. More than a simple trade deal, for sure, but also a lot less than a proper membership.
1. kevin_thibedeau · 1789603759 · focus · HN ↗
  There is this Venn diagram[1]. Canada could shift into the Council of Europe like Georgia or join Schengen with an independent currency like the Swiss. The latter would be a nice arrangement for Canadian passport holders.
  [1] <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/1qbq43v/european_integration_2026_a_comprehensive_venn/" rel="nofollow">https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/1qbq43v/european_in...
  1. Sanzig · 1789606457 · focus · HN ↗
    Canada doesn't share a land border with any Schengen countries, so I'm not sure how valuable passport-free travel would be - you're already taking a transatlantic flight, it's not like passport control is a huge additional hassle.
    However, I could see a big argument for a labour mobility agreement similar to the NAFTA model, where EU citizens in a long list of professions have the right to work in Canada and vice-versa.
    manyatoms · 1789617004 · focus · HN ↗
    It says a lot psychologically to take a 'domestic' flight instead though, gives people more of a sense of togetherness

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