U.S. Pauses Joint Defense Board Over Canadian Spending

The United States Department of Defense suspended participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, a bilateral security forum with Canada established in 1940. U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby announced the pause via social media, stating the move is intended to reassess the forum's value to North American defense. Colby accused Canada of failing to make credible progress on defense commitments and argued that security requires investing in concrete capabilities rather than rhetoric.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney disputed the claims, noting that Canada spent $63.4 billion on defense in 2025 to meet the NATO 2% GDP target. Defense Minister David McGuinty further highlighted investments in submarines and Arctic radar. However, the suspension follows Carney's efforts to diversify security ties by forging new defense partnerships with Nordic nations and Europe to reduce dependence on Washington.

Analysts suggest the pause is a pressure tactic by the Donald Trump administration to compel Canada to purchase 88 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, a procurement currently under political review by the Treasury Board of Canada. The move also aligns with a 2025 National Security Strategy aimed at discouraging allies from collaborating with other nations. While some U.S. lawmakers, such as Representative Don Bacon, argued the decision damages the alliance, the U.S. government maintained its focus on shared security responsibilities.