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Should Canada join the European Union?

In the wake of Trump's return to the White House, nations on the fringe of the EU are rethinking their European relations. Switzerland has agreed to closer ties, the UK is seeking a reset. Iceland will vote on joining in 2027, and Greenland is likely to follow suit, if only to avoid Trump's obsessive attention.

What of Canada, which Trump has suggested should become the USA's 51st state? Should Europe invite Canada to become the 28th EU state?

Arguments for:

* Canada is vast in size and mineral wealth. Europe (440m citizens) can supplement Canada's sparse population (44m).
* Canada is already an honorary European nation, having been colonised three times by Scandinavians, French, British.
* Canadians, like Europeans, believe that markets should be moderated by the welfare state.
* Another francophone country to keep France happy.
* Canada would give Europe a Pacific frontier and a truly global outlook.
* It would really p**s off Trump 🤣
JimboSaturn · 51-55, M
Trump hates the idea of countries forming alliances. That's why he hates NATO and the EU so much. He likes unilateral relations so he can bully and divide
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@JimboSaturn Well, Putin's strategy to contain NATO influence has resulted in the eastern border increasing by more than 50%. I just thought it would be amusing if Trump ended his presidency with his entire northern border facing an EU country 😅
Convivial · 26-30, F
@JimboSaturn you've noticed that🧐
Ynotisay · M
I think the geography would be the sticking point there. I think being in the EU requires a country be in Europe.
I think Canada is in great shape AS LONG as they squelch the far right extremists that are taking hold. To me it speaks to the power of the internet that entices broken, angry, fear-driven people to coalesce and create a reality that isn't real.
Canada is a great country. I'd like to see it continue.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Ynotisay Geography is ill defined and a sticking point on the eastern frontier too, hence our choppy relations with Russia.

Yes, I know Canada is in great shape and doing a good job showing USA how things should be done 🙂
@Ynotisay Canada shares a border with Denmark (through Greenland) on Hans Island.

Fact.
Ynotisay · M
@Mesthartiya Yep. That is a fact. But it's a maritime border. The land mass border, which is less than a mile, is split. Greenland left the European Commission a while ago. It's a self-governing territory. Denmark doesn't run Greenland.
MommyLucy · 36-40, F
It would be awesome if Canada joined the EU and I hope the UK rejoins someday! 🤗🤗🤗 Also I believe in the welfare state with all my heart and I also believe in universal healthcare and helping others less fortunate! 😇😇😇 I wish my home state New Jersey would join the EU along with Canada! 😁😁😁
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@MommyLucy New Jersey . . 29th state.
Stephie · 22-25, F
EU stands for European Union and not for World Union.

It has been debated in Europe whether Turkey should be admitted into the EU given that more than 80% of Turkey is located in Asia and thus, does not qualify as a European nation.

As for Switzerland, even though the politicians would love for the country to be closer to the EU, the people have the final vote on that. It is not likely to pass a popular vote in Switzerland once the details of the last negotiations are known.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Stephie Europe is not a discrete geographical entity. Many ideas about where Europe begins and ends are essentially political and cultural. Hence my idea for expanding westwards.
Stephie · 22-25, F
@SunshineGirl That's the problem with Europe altogether and not only on the political level. Take the European Song Contest. They allowed Israel to join when this nation has absolutely no ties with Europe. That is a shame and is a blatant proof that Europe is not neutral and unbiased.
ineedadrink · 51-55, M
Canada stands to lose their privileged trade & border crossing status with the U.S. We are by far their biggest & most easily accessible trading partner. Much easier to put the vast amount of goods coming south on a truck or train. And tell the huge number of Canadians driving their motorhomes and regular cars south to Florida, Texas or Arizona for six that they need a visa like the European countries. Not a popular move in the long run.
I think things should stay the way they are in that regard. We do us, they do Eh?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@ineedadrink What if Trump carried out his threat to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports?
ineedadrink · 51-55, M
@SunshineGirl The northern border communities of the U.S. benefit "bigly" from cross-border trade and are by & large Trump, or at least Republican, voters. He won't want to inflict pain on his cheerleaders. I think any tariff talk is a stick to beat Canada into doing his will.
deadgerbil · 26-30
Idk what they have to lose by joining the EU, seems positive
ArtieKat · M
Geography was never my strongest subject at school but isn't Canada on a different continent to Europe?
Khenpal1 · M
@ArtieKat There is just one small exception , French Polynesia . The rest is like rest of EU.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@ArtieKat I think the eastern border of Europe has been quite "fluid" over the past two thousand years or so. No reason why we can't push westwards too.
ArtieKat · M
@SunshineGirl *Chuckles*
Convivial · 26-30, F
Interesting idea... Especially the last point lol... But, does the eec have provision for such to occur?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Convivial Europe has expanded successfully from 6 core states in 1957 . . I reckon it would be easier to join the EU than the USA.
Convivial · 26-30, F
@SunshineGirl that may be true, but why would anyone wish to join the US of A I ask 🤔
MartinII · 70-79, M
Anything that undermined the EU would have my support!
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
An excellent fun posting.
trollslayer · 46-50, M
Seems like win-win!
Officially Canada shares a border with Denmark, so yes it could be.
Convivial · 26-30, F
@Convivial love to see Trump attempt to "buy" it 😂
Convivial · 26-30, F
@Mesthartiya no doubt the check would bounce lol
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
This Canadian would never be under the EU and their endless bureaucracy. NO THANK YOU!!!!
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@hippyjoe1955 On the plus side, Canada could take part in the Eurovision song contest 🎵
hippyjoe1955 · 61-69, M
@SunshineGirl Meh. No one cares about that nonsense anyways.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@hippyjoe1955 That's what Australia used to say . .

Patriot96 · 56-60, C
Why should they
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Patriot96 For the six reasons I set out above . .
ShenaniganFoodie · 36-40, M
In Trump's eyes every country outside of the USA are Aliens
novaguy2u · 70-79, M
@ShenaniganFoodie Yep, probably thinks he comes from Planet Trump. A bit like Superman.
SandWitch · 26-30, F
Are you under the direction of psychiatric care from a qualified Physician, or do you self-medicate for your unstable state of mental health?
swirlie · 31-35, F
What's in it for Canada?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@swirlie
* Access to a larger labour and consumer market than the whole of the USA (which in any case may become more restricted when Trump assumes office)
* A federal structure that accommodates cultural differences and that the French speaking minority may find more amenable
* Automatic entry to the Eurovision song contest 🎵
swirlie · 31-35, F
@SunshineGirl
I can see having automatic entry to the Eurovision song contest as being a convincing factor for the hard-right conservatives among Canadian voters, but I don't think the rest of what you're offering would fly much higher than about a foot off the ground among the rest of us.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@swirlie Ah well, I'm sure we can negotiate . .
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