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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 16 local time. / AP-Yonhap

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sept. 16 local time that he would regard any move by the European Union to grant Canada associate membership as a “hostile act,” raising the possibility of additional tariffs.

Trump, who was visiting North Carolina for a scheduled event, spoke to reporters after stepping off Air Force One. Asked about the possibility of Canada becoming an associate member of the EU, he said, “There’s no chance of that.”

“If they do that and I consider it a hostile act, the United States could impose heavy tariffs on the EU or stop trading with Europe,” he warned.

Canada has been seeking closer ties with the EU amid recent trade tensions with the U.S., its largest trading partner.

Earlier that day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in her annual policy speech in Strasbourg, France, that “in this new world, we urgently need to rethink our partnerships and build a global coalition for resilience and democracy.”

“In short, we want to take our relationship with Canada to the highest possible level,” she added.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was also invited to attend the event. He said on Sept. 14 that Canada was pursuing a “unique alliance” with the EU.

Earlier this year, Carney said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that “middle powers” should work together in response to a fractured world order.

It remains unclear, however, what associate membership in the EU would entail or whether all EU member states support the plan.

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun-min