cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/44418560

Half-joking comments about Canada joining the bloc have become common as Ottawa adapts to its fraying relationship with the United States.

France’s foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot has floated the idea that Canada could one day join the European Union, using the transatlantic ally as a striking example of the bloc’s global appeal.

Speaking at the Europe 2026 conference in Berlin alongside his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, Barrot argued that the EU is increasingly attracting partners far beyond its borders as geopolitical tensions soar.

Barrot’s Canada remark was not presented as a concrete policy proposal, but rather as part of a broader argument that the EU is emerging as a “third superpower” capable of balancing the rivalry between the United States and China.

  • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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    21 days ago

    Sure does feel weird to think about a country not on the European continent becoming part of the European Union. Also, loosing the looney and the toonie from Canada’s currency would be a global tragedy.

    • Logi@lemmy.world
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      21 days ago

      Canada can poot anything they want on the backside of the Euro coins they mint. It’s fun to sort through your change and see where the coins came from. Might see a maple leaf one day?

      • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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        21 days ago

        That’s an interesting detail I didn’t know. With this new knowledge I choose to live in the timeline where Canada puts a loonie on the back of the euro coin haha.

      • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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        21 days ago

        Call me a rube but I’m more of a mainland enthusiast myself. Don’t pay much mind to uninhabited islands that are closer in size to Vatican City than Tuvalu.

    • seanom@lemmy.world
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      21 days ago

      I think it is funny that France’s longest land border is shared with Brazil.

    • adb@lemmy.ml
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      21 days ago

      Countries can join the EU without switching to the euro.

      • WFH@lemmy.zip
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        21 days ago

        They are legally bound to eventually adopt the euro. But they can deliberately fail to meet the convergence criteria, like Sweden does.

      • Klear@quokk.au
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        21 days ago

        They have to commit to taking steps towards adoption and then they don’t actually have to do anything.

    • teyrnon@sh.itjust.works
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      21 days ago

      A lot of countries in the European Union keep their old currencies. It is not mandatory.

      But it would insulate Canada from the United States manipulating it. They absolutely should take on the euro.

      • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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        21 days ago

        I’m no expert but given the trade between the two nations, I don’t think a currency change would do a whole lot to provide insulation from economic bullying the United States is capable of.

        Maybe Canada could build a moat haha.

        • teyrnon@sh.itjust.works
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          21 days ago

          Oh for sure, I just meant the euro would insulate them from future plays on their currency, led by the administration and their parasitical business buddies, in the future when elections are firmly fixed, borrowing is getting maxed out, and they rig the numbers and news to prop up the failing economy.

          • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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            20 days ago

            A gift of a link is nicer than an instruction to perform a task, regardless of whatever connection you’re trying to make.

              • JoshuaFalken@lemmy.world
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                20 days ago

                Oh thanks for that link. Goes on a lot about a King, less about a Queen.

                Anyway not entirely sure how it’s related to my initial comment in this thread, unless the connection being made is the British Empire being marginally similar to the European Union in that it is a collection of countries that may or may not be geographical neighbours? I think the whole bit about one of those collections being voluntary and the other… less so.

                But I appreciate the contribution all the same, I’ll put it in the guest room.

                Ta-ta

                • santa@sh.itjust.works
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                  20 days ago

                  Thanks. It is about the Monarchy. The search led to that Wikipedia page. Read the very top of page. It redirects to that page.

                  I suggested to search, which brings up a lot more information about the Queen. You wanted a link. Have a nice weekend.

  • Random Dent@lemmy.ml
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    20 days ago

    As a Brit who moved to Canada and was super annoyed when Brexit made me lose my EU passport status, it would be hilarious if this is how I end up getting it back.