Australia and New Zealand Could Follow Canada Toward EU ‘Associate Membership’

A major shift in international alliances could be taking shape as European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says Australia and New Zealand could potentially follow Canada in pursuing a closer relationship with the European Union.

In an interview with Euronews, Metsola said the EU wants to deepen relations with countries that share common interests and suggested that Australia and New Zealand could be among the countries seeking closer cooperation.

The comments came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed that Canada become the EU’s first-ever “associate member.” The proposed status would sit somewhere between full EU membership and ordinary partnership, although its exact structure has not yet been established.

Possible areas of cooperation include trade, critical minerals, technology, defence, energy and regulatory cooperation. Australia and New Zealand already have significant economic relationships with the EU, providing a potential foundation for deeper ties.

The development comes amid increasingly complicated relations between Washington and some of its traditional allies. President Donald Trump has threatened additional tariffs on the EU if he considers closer Canada-EU integration a hostile move. European officials, however, have said the proposed partnership with Canada is not directed against the United States.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has welcomed the proposal, arguing that stronger cooperation between Canada and Europe could increase economic and strategic resilience.

For now, no new EU “associate membership” system has been formally created, and any such arrangement would require agreement among EU member states. But Metsola’s comments signal that the idea could extend beyond Canada—and potentially reshape how the EU works with countries outside Europe.

The bigger question now is whether this emerging network of partnerships will grow as traditional alliances face increasing pressure.