U.S. Pulls Out of Canada/Defence Group

The U.S. has suspended activities in a defence board set up by Franklin D. Roosevelt and William Lyon Mackenzie King in 1940 in WWII. Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby blames the Davos speech by Mark Carney as the reason for the move although the speech never mentioned the U.S. or North American defence.

In addition to blaming the speech, it says Canada has not met it's obligations to the U.S. but doesn't specifically say what those area. The 2% GDP of defence spending has been met and moves are being made to take it to 3.5% and beyond. Is he referring to that? Is he referring to the F-35s being re-assessed by Canada? There have 16 bought so far of the 88 and down payments made on the next batch. Canadian pilots begin training on the planes very shortly. Canada has already committed to purchase other aircraft fully from American contractors. However, is it enough for our American blowhard is defence?

He should sit down in front of a reporter and explain his thuggish behaviour and what he truly means. It could be all about trade which is not really in the remit of an underlying in Pete Hegseth's department. It is just more vague gangster bullying until they pout up what they actually want. For all we know this is the response to Canada not graciously taking the U.S. up on 51st state.

The Canadian government has long learned not to overreact. It commented but the fact that has largely been ignored by U.S. and world media is noteworthy. Carney rightfully pointed out that there are other areas of cooperation in defence. Unless this Colby is hinting the U.S. is about to pull out of NORAD because of the relationship, he is probably just trying to be a thug.

The National Post as it is wont to do says this is all Carney's fault and says if he would just sign a trade deal and commit to buying all 88 F-35s. Seriously. The conservative media and Poilievre seem to think that only if they were in charge, the chaos would end. Ask the countries that have signed deals how they feel. Nothing but instability. The endless tributes of money and flattery earn nothing except more requests for same.

Given the lack of publicity in the U.S., let's assume this gangland threat wasn't exactly approved by the capo. However, it is broader policy of transactional bullying where the States gets what they want and we are allowed to buy their products instead of making our own. No one in Canada should be hoping for a quick fix or deal to get back to normal. Colby was part of a group that wrote the policy of how to be a brute.