The European Union is dropping plans to make Canada an "associate member" of the bloc in a defeat for Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has sought closer relations with other trade powers amid a row with Washington.

Politico reported on the development, highlighting a document that drops the "associate member" terminology for an "ever closer association" between Ottawa and Brussels.

The idea of Canada pursuing closer European ties was an effort by Carney's government to gain some breathing room against President Donald Trump, who has sought considerable trade concessions.

Both nations neared an agreement earlier this year, but it fell apart at the last minute, leading to a public feud between Trump and Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Trump subsequently renamed Lake Ontario to "Lake America."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.