Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, but said he did not mean for a closer alliance to create a new bloc that would rival the world’s great powers. Mark Carney wants to strengthen Canada's ties to the European Union amid a growing rift with the US under Donald Trump. Key points and original sources are listed below.

• Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday welcomed a proposal for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member, but said he did not mean for a closer alliance to create a new bloc that would rival the world’s great powers.S1

• Mark Carney wants to strengthen Canada's ties to the European Union amid a growing rift with the US under Donald Trump. The US president has threatened to halt trade with Europe if it makes Canada an associate EU member.S2