UK's PM Burnham's Brexit Britain smarts from EU-Canada love-in.
- Andy Burnham was for years a firm opponent of Brexit and a vocal advocate of rejoining the European Union. When he became Britain’s new Prime Minister in July, it appeared to signal warmer UK-EU relations, but Brussels is instead turning its attention toward closer ties with Canada.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday proposed that Canada could become the EU’s first associate member, creating a tailor-made status as the trading bloc looks to expand its reach and reshape itself following Britain’s departure.
- It remains unclear what associate membership would involve in practice, and the details could take years to establish. Still, the proposal signals that Canada is further along than Britain in developing closer trade and security relations with the bloc.