Canada is working to strengthen ties with the European Union to cooperate closer in trade, military and politically.
Ottawa specifically is exploring the option of joining a new military-industrial project with Brussels.
The initiative would allow Ottawa to participate in the production of European fighter jets and other military equipment, The New York Times reports, citing sources.
“The budding defense cooperation between Canada and the European Union, which is racing to shore up its industry to lower reliance on the United States, would boost Canada’s military manufacturers and offer the country a new market at a time when its relationship with the United States has become frayed,” the article reads.
Historical and traditional U.S. allies are strengthening their ties without the involvement of Washington, which will help reduce dependence and shield them from U.S. President Donald Trump’s unpredictable decisions that could impact global security and defense supplies, according to the NYT.
This week, Canada’s newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Paris and London as part of his first foreign trip in office.
He referred to Canada as “the most European of non-European countries.”
Ottawa would be able to join the European military production registry and offer its facilities for the manufacturing of European weapons, including the Swedish-made Saab Gripen fighter jet – a competitor to the American Lightning II F-35 fighter jet.
“Canada, according to the terms of the discussion, would also be given preferential access to the E.U. market for military equipment, an alternative to buying equipment from the United States,” the text reads.
Trump, both during his presidential campaign and after taking office, has repeatedly disparaged Canada, joking about it being the “51st state” of the U.S. and has threatened to impose 25-percent tariffs on Canadian goods.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte had informally urged EU leaders to strengthen cooperation with NATO member Türkiye, following Trump’s statements about potentially revising security guarantees for European allies.
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