bookwyr.meCanada joins EU defense fund as the country pivots away from the US
Sunshine (she/her)apnews.com/article/canada-eu-defense-fund-3ea41…
Canada is the first non-EU country to gain access.
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GoldholzFunny. Britain doesnt but canada does. Now we are defenetly safe from russia with the canadian geese and soldiers on our side
Geneva checklist is ready, don’t you worry.
Show those ruskies and muricans why there are always so many new rules for war after you fought in it. Make their crimes look like CHILDSPLAY!!
A_norny_mousseThose Canadian geese! I’m terrified to drive through when they occupy both sides of the bicycle path. Pretty sure Russia has nothing like it. And yes, I know seagulls can be pretty offensive too.
Canada, unlike post-Brexit Britain, does understand that they can’t have their cake and eat it.
Showerthought: it seems Canada is quick in this pivot. Quicker than the EU itself, for sure. I’m thinking, for Canada, the writing must have been on the wall for … well, over a decade. They already knew this moment could/would come. While in Europe everybody held on to post-WW2 arrangements, the USA our friend and partner, etc.
Canada hasn’t really been preparing for this, it caught us very much by surprise. The dramatic nature of our response has more to do with utter shock and which prompted a thorough reading of all the writing that has previously been put on the wall, than it does with decades of serious preparation, but it will be no less consequential in the end. Reducing our reliance on the US is something Canada has talked about for at least the better part of a century, but never very seriously and whenever we tried even modest moves in that direction, we would find them thoroughly sabotaged or some other immediately looming threat to our economy would inevitably appear and take priority and force us back towards the US (none of which was the fault or intention of the US of course, they were just helping us, being our friend and trusted ally!). There are some very quiet, but very serious geopolitics going on, and peaceful, inoffensive Canada is in much more dangerous position than I think most people realize. But some Canadians are starting to realize it. Ukraine is an example of what happens when you get in the way and deny one of the so-called “great powers” something that they want and feel entitled to, and I don’t think any of us imagine the US is going to take this completely sitting down.
It took a direct threat to our sovereignty as a free country to finally spur us into action, but spurred we have been, and I have little doubt Canadians will forget that anytime soon. The hockey analogy we’ve adopted is that our elbows are up, we’re now committed to going for the hit and being sent to the penalty box if that’s what it takes. This is not even about scoring goals or winning the game anymore, this is about sending a message to the opposing team that we’ve had enough and we will not let them push us around anymore, and if they do they will pay the price whether it’s within the rules or not. We’re ready to fight until the refs step in and make us stop.
Nice write-up, thanks.
It took a direct threat to our sovereignty as a free country to finally spur us into action
That is yet to happen for the EU (from the US). Let’s hope we get to our senses before.
In a way Europe has been preparing for the post US age for decades in form of the EU. It provides its members a large secure market, is a massive security alliance and is a useful tool for geopolitics. But probably most important, the EU is afraid of Russia, where the US can potentially be very helpful. If Russia is beaten, then it is not a threat for years. Other then that Turkey might be a problem, but that can be dealt with more easily and then you have the US, which is an ocean away and China, which is on the other site of the planet. Canada meanwhile has to listen to Trump openly talking about annexing their country.
I really hope Russia collapses soon. It would mean Europe being able to much more easily chart its future with much less fear of Trump.
DasusSo we’re doing WWIII drafting already?
Fuck me, got to start getting in shape again
Cancel the F35 turds already.
Avid AmoebaUse them as bargaining chip until they’re no longer useful. Cancel them as a result of American negotiation intractability.
OtterCool!
Talks on the U.K. joining the SAFE fund ended without agreement last week. Negotiations foundered over money, with Europe demanding more for Britain’s participation than the U.K. was willing to pay.
Well that’s interesting
cygnusGovernance in UK is still in shambles so that’s unsurprising.
I would like a land bridge pls
It’s a short ferry ride from Newfoundland to France.
It’s some little island though is it not?
Yup. Actual France is still on the other side of the Atlantic, haha.
I was talking about the Territorial Collectivity of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, but sure your comment makes sense to.
CileTheSaneTime for Canada to join the EU!
PlaidBaronIm gonna pass on that one. I like stronger ties to the EU but I dont want to be beholden to an entity that is largely shaped by the needs of Europeans. That works fine for Europe but we are not a European nation.
VieuxQuebFair point. I love stronger ties to them, a joint defense agreement, trade, etc. but you’re right that we would always be a footnote in their considerations. Harmonizing our laws with the EU can always be done when it’s favourable or reasonable for us.
CircaVThe US exists to be a global disruptor. Their purposely disruptive policies will continue after Trump is gone by younger politicans who share his views. The sooner, faster and more thoroughly Canada disengages from the US, the better. This shit isn’t ending when Trump leaves.
Petty protectionism dominating EU policy even in the midst of existential threat from Russia. Absolutely pathetic.
The EU wanted Britain to pay 6 billion to join the scheme on equal terms and they walked. Then the EU let’s Canada join for 10 million. So Britain is expected to pay 600 x the amount Canada pays. Does that seem reasonable to anyone?
I mean if that doesn’t tell you that Europe is simply not serious about its defence then consider that they also wanted Britain to give France the rights to fish its waters as part of the deal. Finally getting serious about defending Europe but first let’s talk about fish… It’s an absolute joke.
While Europe is facing existential threat the EU is bickering with it’s closest allies over bullshit. It’s core members are putting their own national interests above the security of the entire continent and I think it’s absolutely damning of the EU’s ability to navigate this kind of situation where we need decisive and selfless leadership.
Glad to see Canada involved though.
How do people feel about this seeing as it may mean less of EU money being spent in the EU?
That’s an easy problem to solve, let Canada join the EU too, then your money will still be spent in the EU.
I mean, it’s called European Union. Canada is kinda not in Europe.
I’m all for getting all the trade (and other) agreements we can, though.
Sure, but a name is just a name, they still work just fine even when they only reflect their origins and don’t reflect the current reality anymore. NATO’s already got a handful of members that are a stretch to consider under anything but the broadest definition of “North Atlantic”. Tim Horton’s used to be about a hockey player, now it’s just, passable coffee and shitty food. Sometimes they don’t even reflect the origins either. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea hasn’t ever been very Democratic, has it?
Even if they really are attached to the limitations self-imposed by the name, I feel like they need to consider whether Europe is strictly just a place or can it also be a state of mind? Alternately, we can just surrender to Denmark and become a territorial extension of Greenland (which isn’t even green!). It’s fine either way.
I promise I’m only being like 65% tongue-in-cheek.
In a strictly economics/geopolitical view: It’s a loan program, so long term it is net positive on interest alone. If the money is used to procure eu-made equipment, as is implied, it will bring manufacturing to EU and finance European R&D as well (where not säl of it will be used in only military applications)
Short term it might affect the speed of rearmament which would be bad in an armed conflict. On the other hand, a bigger market will allow bigger investments, which might add production capacity sooner, so it might not add as much time as feared.
In short, it seems to achieve what the tariffs what touted to accomplish without all the drama and negatives associated with tariffs.
Morally it depends on your opinion of a states right to defend itself.
Thank you for the response! I’m not sure of the reason for the negative reaction to the question, but I was curious to see whether time had shifted opinion on non-EU arms manufacturers being allowed to benefit from the fund seeing as the prevailing sentiment some months ago seemed to be that it was a good thing that non-EU manufacturers were excluded.
The negative reactions might be because your wording, to me, is a bit flame batey, as if this is a given negative.
As for non-EU manufacturer being able to invest in production equipment Europe might need if push come to shove on places not easily destroyed by the assumed enemy producing European designs? And in the process incentivise other countries to buy non-american equipment?
If a good chunk of the global military complex seems about to change supplier, I’d bet big on getting to be picked as the supplier of choice!
Fair enough; not my intention with the wording - I’m also generally in favour.