1. Trump trade policy pushed Canada to move closer to EU
2. Canadians are naive to the problems with the EU and the implications of such an agreement
3. This is likely a negative for the US economy as their influence over Canada will diminish
4. This is likely a negative for the Canadian economy
5. This was a necessary step for Canada

1, 3, and 5, yes.

2. Not sure why, Canada has been trading with the EU since before it was the EU, and presumably is aware of the problems in dealing with multiple languages, customs, laws, and the like. The sclerotic problems of the EU seem unlikely to cross the pond in any meaningful way (that they wouldn’t have otherwise as a result of trade.)

Being an “associate member” sounds more like an honorific title than an actual commitment to cede political power, at least to me. I would be interested why you think this would be a negative for Canada. I mean, they’re already in NATO. They hold alliances with Great Britain and others outside of those treaties. There’s no way the EU is going to tax them, so ... what?

4. I see it as a long term positive for the Canadian economy, because as soon as Trump is out of office we will be wooing them back with all sorts of incentives, as most sentient people understand that you don’t send one of your top 3 trading partners packing (nor insult them repeatedly) without some kind of really really good cause - and we don’t have one. Of course Trump will lash out like the toddler he is, but in the scheme of things that can’t go too far. Suppose Canada decides to accelerate infrastructure building to export ore of its oil to others than the US. You think the new Congress - both Republicans and Democrats are going to say “No, that’s OK, good idea. Let’s keep pissing them off.” Short term maybe a little pain, long term, possible big changes.

I think this puts Canada in the spot of the girl who had a steady boyfriend, and who now has interest from another. Methinks the “old reliable” boyfriend will be showing up with flowers and candy more often as soon as the regime changes, as it is likely to bend in 2026 and guaranteed to break in 2028.