Camilla Jessen
Mark Carney signals a pivot away from U.S. defense dependence.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says he hopes Canada can join the European Union’s major rearmament plan by July 1, aiming to rely less on U.S. weapons and defense supplies.
Speaking on CBC’s Power & Politics, Carney said his government is working quickly to join the EU-led “ReArm Europe” program, which plans to invest $1.25 trillion in defense over the next five years.
“Seventy-five cents of every dollar spent on defense goes to the United States. That’s not a smart move,” Carney told host David Cochrane.
Since taking office earlier this spring, Carney has been in talks with the EU to get Canada involved. He said the government is making “significant progress” and wants to have something concrete to show by Canada Day.
U.S. Reaction
Shortly after Carney’s comments, U.S. President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, saying the U.S. is negotiating with Canada to join his missile defense project, the “Golden Dome.”
Trump said Canada could join the system for free if it becomes the 51st U.S. state. If not, it would cost $61 billion.
“They are considering the offer!” Trump claimed.
Carney reportedly told Trump during a meeting in Washington that Canada is not interested in becoming a U.S. state.
NATO Spending Pressure Builds
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told a gathering in Ohio this week that the alliance is close to setting a new defense spending goal.
He said NATO leaders are likely to agree on spending 5% of each country’s GDP, with 3.5% going to direct defense and 1.5% to related areas like cybersecurity and logistics.
Trump has been calling for this 5% target for months.
Carney said Canada will increase defense spending but wants to do so “in a smart way.” He didn’t commit to a number, saying Canada first needs to ask what’s really needed to protect its people and borders, including the Arctic.
“What is needed to ensure the security of our country?” Carney asked. “And how can we make sure every dollar brings the greatest benefit to Canada?”
The prime minister confirmed there won’t be a federal budget this spring. Instead, a more detailed autumn budget will come later, once the government has had more time to plan its defense priorities.
“We will have to spend more, faster,” Carney said.