On Wednesday Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, gave a speech affirming the EU’s willingness to move toward making Canada an “associate member.” Nobody quite knows what that would mean, and it might be mostly symbolic. But it would be a kind of declaration, by both Europe and Canada, of reduced dependence on the United States. And the next day Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minster, strongly endorsed the idea.
Donald Trump predictably, reacted with rage, calling it a “hostile act,” threatening to cut off all trade with Europe.
And nobody cared.
Last year the EU responded to Trump’s clearly illegal tariffs not by retaliating, but by making a humiliating deal. But at this point Europe has apparently decided to stop fearing Trump.
Canada’s defiance is even more remarkable.