Canada to Meet NATO Defence Spending Target Early, Shifts Focus from US to Europe
Canada will reach NATO’s 2 percent defence spending target this year, five years ahead of schedule, as it reduces its security reliance on the United States and strengthens ties with the European Union, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday.
Speaking at the University of Toronto, Carney warned that the global security environment is “darker,” urging Canada to lessen its dependence on the US. The country plans to boost defence procurement from Europe, including fighter jets, while reviewing the purchase of US-made F-35 jets.
“Our military infrastructure and equipment have aged, hindering military readiness,” Carney said. “Only one of our four submarines is seaworthy, and less than half of our maritime fleet and land vehicles are operational. We have become too reliant on the United States.”
The prime minister emphasized that Canada faces growing security threats, pointing to Russia and China as key concerns. He described the increased defence spending not as a gesture to NATO, but as a strategic imperative to protect Canadians.
Carney’s announcement follows similar commitments by other NATO allies amid sustained pressure from US President Donald Trump for increased defence budgets. Trump’s critical remarks toward Canada, including jokes about making it the 51st US state, have heightened tensions.
According to NATO data, Canada spent 1.33 percent of its GDP on defence in 2023. Carney criticized the Trump administration’s approach to global leadership, saying:
“The United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony: charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contributions to collective security.”
He concluded:
“We should no longer send three-quarters of our defence capital spending to America.”
In April, NATO reported that 22 out of its 32 members had met the 2 percent defence spending benchmark. NATO now regards the 2 percent figure as a minimum requirement for member states.
With input from Al Jazeera
