The European Union (EU) has dropped the proposal to make Canada an “associate member” of the 27-member bloc following objections from several European countries.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had proposed the idea in September to strengthen ties between the EU and Canada amid strained relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.

However, the proposal has now been scrapped ahead of the landmark EU-Canada summit, opting instead for softer language promising “ever closer association”, according to a statement seen by Politico. 

Reports noted that some countries, including Germany, France and Greece, kicked against the proposal initially set to be announced at the summit, with Germany highlighting that associate membership is not an officially recognised status under EU treaties.

An earlier version of the joint statement of the announcement was intended to read, the EU and Canada “work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of Associate Member that will reflect, through this even closer association, our common endeavour and cooperation towards our shared goals of prosperity, economic security and strategic autonomy.”

Meanwhile, the latest version now reads, “We will create an even closer association between Canada and the EU… and work to define by the 2027 EU-Canada Summit the concept of an ever closer association of Canada to the EU, short of full membership itself.”