New Zealand Denies EU Associate Membership Talks

New Zealand has not held any talks with the European Union about becoming an associate member, the government said after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened the door to such an arrangement for Canada.

Von der Leyen has proposed making Canada the EU’s first “associate member” as part of efforts to forge closer ties among allies amid growing geopolitical tensions. US President Donald Trump opposed the proposal and threatened the EU with tariffs if it went ahead.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola subsequently suggested that Australia and New Zealand could eventually follow Canada in deepening ties with the bloc.

Wellington, however, said no such discussions had taken place. “There have been no discussions with the EU about New Zealand becoming an associate member”, a spokesman for Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell, meanwhile, said his country was “on the same page” as Canada in seeking deeper ties with the EU.

(Reuters, mja)