Canada wants to reduce its dependence on the US for defense

Carney said this on the air of the "Power and Politics" program on the CBC television channel, commenting on the government's speech.

Carney noted that we are talking about the ReArm Europe initiative, which envisages EU countries' defense spending over the next five years.

According to the Prime Minister, Canada is already negotiating with the European Union to join the plan and expects concrete results by Canada Day, July 1.

Seventy-five cents out of every dollar of defense capital spending goes to the United States. That's absurd.

Mark Carney

Prime Minister of Canada

Following Carney's remarks, US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that his administration was in talks with Canada about joining the US's Golden Dome missile defence system, which he said would cost Canada $61 billion if it remained an independent country.

But it will cost ZERO DOLLARS if Canada becomes our beloved 51st state. They are considering this offer!

Mark Carney, after meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, denied the possibility of joining the US, stating that Canada would remain an independent state.

On May 27, the European Union (EU) approved the launch of the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument worth €150 billion for joint defense procurement and support to Ukraine.

The main goal is to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities, close critical capability gaps, and increase the production capacity of the European defense industry.

SAFE is the first part of the European Commission's ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 defence plan, which could cost more than €800 billion. SAFE is scheduled to be launched on 29 May 2025, the day after the regulation is published in the Official Journal of the EU.