US president warns over ‘hostile act’, as Canada seeks to move closer to the EU and diversify its defence ties

Donald Trump has threatened the EU with “serious tariffs” and a cut to trade after the bloc proposed making Canada its first ever associate member– an idea he derided as “laughable”.

The US president told reporters that if the EU moved forward with the plan, Washington could impose “very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe”. He added: “If it’s a good intention, that’s fine. If it’s a bad intention, we’ll put very heavy tariffs on Europe.”