Could Canada join the EU? Asked whether Canada was eligible to join, while stopping short of expressly saying "no", she referred to the admission criteria set out in EU treaties, which seem to rule out Ottawa.

Could Canada join the EU? That prospect looked a little less fanciful Wednesday after a spokesperson for the bloc refused to rule out membership for the north American nation.

Interest in Canada joining the EU has increased amid US tensions, with 44% of Canadians supporting the idea. While the EU acknowledges shared values, Canada's geographic distance and historical precedent present challenges for membership.