Canada joins key EU defence programme as PM Carney pivots away from US

Canada joins key EU defence programme as PM Carney pivots away from US

As Ottawa attempts to diversify its military spending away from the United States, Canada has joined a multibillion dollar European Union defense fund, becoming the first non-European nation to do so.

In a “dangerous and divided world,” Canadian defense companies said on Monday that participating in the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative would “create enormous opportunities” for Canadian defense companies.

Recommended Stories

list of 4 itemsend of list

According to Carney, SAFE will fill key capability gaps, open new markets for Canadian suppliers, and entice European defense investment into Canada.

In a separate joint statement with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Carney said, “This is the next step in our deepening cooperation and symbolic of the shared priorities of the European Union and Canada.”

In light of concerns among member states about the dependability of US military protection and the announcement of the 150-billion-euro ($170bn) SAFE rearmament fund earlier this year, the 150-billion-euro ($170bn) SAFE rearmament fund was made.

The EU’s SAFE initiative has been hailed as a significant step toward “speeding up defence readiness,” with the goal of the bloc to re-arm and be ready by 2030 to defend itself from external threats.

Carney announced his intention to diversify Canada’s procurement and trade partnerships and strengthen its relationship with the EU, and Canada is now a part of the SAFE initiative. Additionally, Carney had previously stated that US military spending would no longer be distributed for more than 70 cents of every dollar spent by Canada.

Donald Trump’s announcement comes after US President Donald Trump riled Canadians by calling for a trade war with the country earlier this year and suggesting that the country would become the country’s 51st state.

According to reports, partner nations like Canada may be granted exemptions for SAFE-related arms projects, but at least 65 percent of their components must be produced within the EU’s 27 member states.

Priority defense spending under SAFE includes the purchase of missiles and missile defenses, maritime forces, electronic warfare, ground combat capabilities, drone and anti-drone systems, and “space assets protection.”

Last week, negotiations between the EU and London regarding the UK’s membership in the SAFE fund came to an end.

Negotiations broke down over funding, with Europe demanding more than the UK government could accept.

Source: Aljazeera

234Radio

234Radio is Africa's Premium Internet Radio that seeks to export Africa to the rest of the world.