Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a large increase in defence spending to meet Nato’s target this financial year, saying it’s necessary in “a darker, more competitive world” where US dominance is receding.
“The long-held view that Canada’s geographic location will protect us is becoming increasingly archaic,” Carney said in a major foreign policy speech in Toronto. “We have been jolted awake by new threats to our security and sovereignty – including from emboldened Russia and an assertive China.”
Under President Donald Trump, “the United States is beginning to monetise its hegemony, charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contributions to our collective security,” Carney said.
“In parallel, the world’s trade routes, allegiances, energy systems and even intelligence itself are being rewired. Rising great powers are now in strategic competition with America. A new imperialism threatens.”
In response, Canada must rapidly ramp up its military capabilities and become less reliant on the US, Carney said – which will mean shifting some of its defence spending to domestic companies and to other allies. “We should no longer send three-quarters of our defence capital spending to America,” he said.
Canada is already reviewing its planned purchases of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, with Swedish-produced Saab AB Gripen aircraft as a possible replacement or addition to the US-made planes.