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Washington — President Donald Trump ignited fresh controversy on Wednesday by warning that the European Union’s plan to grant Canada “associate member” status could be a “hostile act” toward the United States. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump threatened “very heavy tariffs” on European goods should Brussels move forward, framing the proposal as an attempt to sidestep U.S. trade leverage. The warning marks Trump’s sharpest trade broadside since his 2025 steel-and-aluminum tariff escalation, and it comes as his administration is already weighing new duties tied to a Russia-sanctions bill that some Republicans fear gives the White House sweeping tariff authority. EU officials have not publicly responded, but Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hailed the associate-member proposal as a pathway to “friction-free supply chains” with Europe. Trade hawks inside the West Wing see the EU-Canada deal as a direct challenge to Trump’s “America First” agenda. One senior aide, speaking anonymously, said the president believes the move would “launder Canadian goods through Europe” to dodge U.S. tariffs, echoing complaints that fueled his 2024 withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Political stakes The clash lands six weeks before pivotal midterm elections in which Trump’s approval rating hovers near historic lows—37 percent in the latest CNN Poll of Polls. Republican strategists worry that another tariff fight could deepen consumer anxiety over inflation just as grocery prices have begun to level off. Democrats, meanwhile, seized on the remarks to paint Trump as erratic on trade. “The president is threatening allies while everyday Americans pay the price,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, citing 2025 data showing tariff costs topping $1,300 per household. Policy collision course The tariff threat also collides with ongoing negotiations over AI export controls, an area where the White House hopes to coordinate with the EU next week during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit. Commerce Secretary Lina Khan has privately cautioned that a trans-Atlantic trade war could derail a draft agreement on AI safety standards, according to two officials familiar with the talks. White House distractions Trump’s focus on the EU-Canada angle arrives amid a cascade of domestic headaches: • A federal judge ordered a 30-day pause on changes to the Kennedy Center after Trump pushed to add his name to the landmark’s façade, sparking bipartisan backlash. • Vice President J.D. Vance apologized for urging voters to “give us another chance,” a gaffe Democrats amplified as proof the administration fears electoral punishment. • New GAO figures show $9.5 billion paid to federal employees on administrative leave under the DOGE workforce overhaul, fueling claims of fiscal mismanagement. What’s next Trade analysts expect Brussels to clarify the scope of Canada’s proposed status at an emergency meeting Friday. If the EU signals it will postpone the decision, markets may avoid a tariff-driven sell-off; if not, investors could see a replay of the 2025 volatility that rattled global supply chains. For Trump, the confrontation offers a familiar political script: project toughness abroad while rallying his populist base at home. Whether that strategy blunts mounting domestic criticism—or adds fresh fuel to it—will become clear as ballots begin arriving in mailboxes next month.