US suspends joint defence cooperation with Canada since World War II

US Department of Defense Announces Halt in Joint Board Participation with Canada

The United States has announced that it will cease its involvement in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, citing concerns over Canada’s defense commitments. The board, established during World War II, serves as a forum for regional security discussions among North American countries.

According to US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, the department will reassess the benefits of participating in the joint board due to what he described as “gaps between rhetoric and reality.” This decision follows strained relations between the two countries since President Donald Trump’s second term began in 2025.

Canada has been working to increase its military spending, with Prime Minister Mark Carney committing to allocate 3.5 percent of the country’s GDP towards bolstering core military capabilities. The Canadian government has also outlined plans to reduce dependence on US military and economic support.

The announcement comes as tensions between the US and Canada have escalated beyond security issues. Trump has accused Canada of pursuing unfair trade policies and failing to crack down on illicit border traffic, prompting an aggressive tariff regimen against cross-border imports.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Defense stated that the decision to halt participation in the joint board was made due to concerns over Canada’s defense commitments. The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reevaluate its relationships with Western allies and promote shared defense and security responsibilities.

The US, Canada, and Mexico are set to negotiate an updated version of the USMCA later this year.

Source: Al Jazeera