U.S. Suspends 1940 Defense Board With Canada as Carney Speech Deepens Spending Rift
Updated
Updated · The Globe and Mail · May 18
U.S. Suspends 1940 Defense Board With Canada as Carney Speech Deepens Spending Rift
16 articles · Updated · The Globe and Mail · May 18
Elbridge Colby said Monday the U.S. is pausing the Permanent Joint Board on Defense to reassess whether the forum still benefits North American defense.
Colby tied the move to Canada's lack of "credible progress" on defense and linked Mark Carney's January Davos speech, saying Ottawa must prioritize hard power over rhetoric.
Canada reached NATO's 2% of GDP defense target only last year under Carney, after Donald Trump had long pressed allies to spend more and NATO members later agreed to aim for 5% by 2035.
The board, created in 1940, brings together military and diplomatic officials on joint strategy; its suspension clouds cooperation alongside NORAD and Canada's stated interest in Trump's Golden Dome missile shield.
Carney's Davos remarks, widely read as a critique of Trump, warned that "hegemons" were seeking other countries' subordination through economic pressure and urged middle powers to resist.
With U.S. pressure mounting, will Canada sacrifice its fighter jet choice to save the NORAD alliance?
Is Canada's new Arctic alliance with Nordic nations a smart pivot or a risky gamble against U.S. interests?
Can Canada's 'Made-in-Canada' defense plan succeed, or will it leave the nation more vulnerable?