Sen. Susan Collins says Canada's turn toward the EU does not help rebuild ties with the U.S.
Susan CollinsU.S. Senator from Maine (Republican), speaking to CBC News at the U.S. Capitol
CBC News reported that Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said it is unfortunate that Canada is turning toward the European Union in response to U.S. tariffs. She told CBC that the turn does not help rebuild the good relationship the two countries once had.
“That doesn't help rebuild the good relationship that we once had and that I want us to have again”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Canada become an associate member of the European Union?
In her State of the European Union address on 16 September 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would like to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the European Union, as part of moving beyond the existing CETA trade agreement to what she called an Alliance for the Future. Carney, present as an invited guest, told the European Parliament the following day that Canada welcomes the ambition, while attributing the associate-member phrase to von der Leyen rather than adopting it, and promised debates and a vote in the Canadian Parliament on the final structure. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre set red lines against Canadians paying taxes to Brussels, following European laws they did not vote on, or adopting European immigration policy. United States President Donald Trump said that if he judged the arrangement a hostile act he would impose heavy tariffs on Europe or curtail trade. No agreement has been signed, and associate membership is not a status defined in the European Union's treaties.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
CBC News report from Washington on Sen. Susan Collins's reaction to Canada's moves toward closer ties with the European Union, with remarks from other U.S. senators on the U.S.-Canada trade dispute.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Earlier on September 16, 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe wants to open the door for Canada to become an associate member of the EU. CBC noted that associate membership is not currently a legal designation in the EU.
After the quotation
CBC reported that Collins also said Canada and the United States should return to the bargaining table and that she does not support the tariff war. CBC described her as a long-serving Republican senator from a border state who has long tried to distance herself from President Trump's tariff policies.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Canada's move toward closer ties with the European Union, including the associate-member offer made the same day. CBC reported that Collins called it unfortunate that Canada is turning toward the EU, and she said this does not help rebuild the good relationship that she wants the two countries to have again. That is criticism of the move itself, so we labeled it Condemned. The objection she gave is the effect on U.S.-Canada relations.
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- Mark Carney
More from this case
Read the full caseCarleton's Achim Hurrelmann doubts an associate-member status for Canada can be set up soon
“I'm not sure if a status with that name can be established for Canada any time soon”Read statement
Poilievre says the summit cut no tariffs and warns against aligning Canada with European policies
“Worse, there was lots of talk at the summit about aligning Canada with the insane European taxes, debt, immigration and anti-oil and gas policies that have left parts of Europe bankrupt and burning.”Read statement
German ambassador says the two sides should give the associate-member label real content
“The president of the commission and the prime minister are using the term associated membership, so let's fill that name with life and see what it can be about. I think we should not be distracted by the label in question from the important content that has been agreed today”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Sen. Susan Collins says Canada's turn toward the EU does not help rebuild ties with the U.S.". First published: 2026-09-30. Last updated: 2026-09-30. https://disputeindex.com/events/3416-cbc-news-reported-that-republican-sen-susan-collins