Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to travel to Europe for critical summits focused on security and defense, alongside key ministers including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Defence Minister David McGuinty. The meetings at the EU and NATO summits are particularly timely as Canada seeks to lessen its defense procurement reliance on the United States, amid growing tensions over trade tariffs and controversial remarks from former President Trump concerning Canada’s sovereignty. Carney’s trip begins in Brussels, where he will honor Canadian soldiers at the Antwerp Schoonselhof Military Cemetery before engaging with high-ranking European leaders including Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
At the EU-Canada summit, a significant security and defense agreement is anticipated to be signed, regarded as one of Europe’s most ambitious pacts with a non-member country. This agreement will permit Canada’s involvement in the ReArm Europe initiative and opens access to a substantial 150-billion-euro loan program aimed at defense procurement titled Security Action for Europe. An official noted that while the initial agreement will facilitate Canada’s participation in joint procurement projects, a subsequent bilateral agreement with the European Commission will be necessary for Canadian firms to bid on these opportunities.
Furthermore, the leaders will jointly affirm their commitment to applying pressure on Russia through potential new sanctions and advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza. Carney’s agenda continues to The Hague for the NATO leaders’ summit, amplifying discussions on Arctic and transatlantic security, as he engages with the King of the Netherlands and Nordic leaders. The NATO summit will feature a social dinner with the Dutch royal family and crucial discussions among member nations, addressing defense expenditures and shared security strategies.
A key point of debate will be a proposal to increase NATO members’ defense spending target to five percent of their GDP; however, current spending falls significantly short of this figure, with Canada reporting an expenditure of 1.37 percent of GDP in 2024. This is an increase from the 1.01 percent recorded in 2014 when the two percent target was first established, which only three member nations— the U.S., U.K., and Greece—had achieved. A consensus at the summit will require ratification by all 32 NATO countries to adopt any new benchmarks relating to defense spending.
Former Canadian ambassador to NATO, Kerry Buck, emphasizes the need for cohesion among allies, particularly given President Trump’s prior threats to undermine NATO commitments unless member countries substantially increase their defense spending. The upcoming NATO summit aims to handle contentious issues delicately, avoiding public disputes while simultaneously addressing U.S. demands for spending reforms. Buck underscores Canada’s strategic interests in maintaining a strong NATO alliance amidst shifting global security dynamics, particularly for countries bordering Russia.
Carney’s trip reflects ongoing efforts by Canada to fortify international partnerships, previously evidenced by two earlier trips to Europe earlier in the year for discussions with allies. By participating in these high-stakes negotiations and commitments, Canada positions itself as a proactive player in global security, striving to enhance both its defense capabilities and alliances. As the geopolitical landscape evolves, these summits offer a platform for Canada to assert its commitments and adapt its defense policies in response to emerging threats and collaborative opportunities with European partners.
