Carney downplays Washington’s decision to pause bilateral defence board
Colby said the board is on hold as Washington reviews Canada’s defense commitments, while Carney said Ottawa will widen security ties beyond the United States.
- On Monday, the Pentagon suspended participation in the 86-year-old Permanent Joint Board on Defense, with U.S. undersecretary of defence for policy Elbridge Colby citing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's remarks at the World Economic Forum earlier this year.
- Carney's January address in Davos, which officials viewed as a critique of President Donald Trump, prompted the suspension. In the speech, Carney warned against relying on global "hegemons" and urged middle powers to project strength.
- Despite Colby's accusations that Canada failed to meet defense responsibilities, Carney noted that Canada added more than $80-billion in military spending in 2025, exceeding the 2 percent NATO GDP target and aiming for 3.5 percent by 2035.
- Canada is reviewing its planned purchase of 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets amid these tensions. Carney stated Canada will "diversify its defence co-operation" beyond the United States, aligning with its NATO role.
- On Tuesday, Carney dismissed the suspension's significance, noting the board has not met since 2024 and emphasizing that Canada remains focused on modernizing its defense partnerships despite the diplomatic friction.
53 Articles
53 Articles
Pentagon's shock move puts U.S.-Canada ties on ice
The Department of Defense has suspended a joint military advisory board with Canada that dates to World War II, escalating tensions between President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby announced the suspension of the Permanent Joint Board on Def...
The Standing Joint Defence Committee, which has not met since 2024, was established in 1940.
Carney Downplays the Importance of US Decision to Pause Bilateral Defence Board
Prime Minister Mark Carney downplayed recent news that the United States has decided to pause its participation in the Canada–U.S. Permanent Joint Board on Defence, saying the two countries coordinate on defence in other ways. “It has a long heritage, but I wouldn’t overplay the importance of this,” Carney told reporters in Quebec on May 19. One day earlier, U.S. Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby announced on social media that the United Sta…
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