Canada Seeks Strategic Defense Partnership Amid Global Power Shift

OTTAWA, Canada — As global geopolitical tensions rise, Canada is laying the groundwork for a potential defense partnership with European nations to strengthen security amid threats from the United States, particularly under President Donald Trump‘s administration.

On March 20, 2025, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed that the government is in discussions with the European Union to collaborate on defense procurement as Europe prepares for a significant rearmament. “We’ve been in talks with the European Union to make sure that we could work on defense procurement together,” Joly stated during an interview on Power & Politics.

The urgency of these negotiations comes as European leaders formulate new strategies for collective security in the face of Russian aggression and changing relations with the United States. “We live in the most significant and dangerous time,” proclaimed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the continent’s need to bolster its defensive capabilities.

Christian Leuprecht, a defense expert from the Royal Military College of Canada, emphasized the necessity for Canada to present a compelling offer to Europe. He warned, “If Europe goes it alone in its decision-making… it’s going to need Canada even less than it does now.” The relationship between Canada and its traditional ally may be at risk as the U.S. increasingly confronts both Canada and European nations.

Within weeks of President Trump publicly criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, EU leaders have accelerated their moves toward establishing a new alliance focused on defending Ukraine and mainland European interests. The pivotal question remains: does Canada have a role in this evolving defense structure?

Despite the ongoing strains in North American relations, Canada appears to be uniquely positioned as a non-European ally that could contribute significantly to European security needs. Notably, Canada’s vast natural resources, including oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), have gained substantial interest amid Europe’s quest to reduce its dependency on Russian energy supplies.

In light of Canada’s potential value as an energy partner, Joly pointed out, “We know that we have everything a country would dream of to have in the world… We have all the energy necessary… We are an agricultural superpower.”

Adding to the urgency, German leaders have indicated interest in Canadian energy solutions, praising the low environmental and geopolitical risks associated with Canadian fossil fuel compared to alternatives from the U.S. and Russia.

Roderich Kiesewetter, a member of the German Bundestag, echoed these sentiments, asserting, “It would be to the advantage of both of us if Europe and your country co-operated in this.” However, he highlighted logistical challenges regarding Canada’s ability to deliver energy to Europe, emphasizing that collaboration with European investors might mitigate these barriers.

Looking toward military collaboration, experts propose that a defense partnership could also encompass joint exercises and training. Leuprecht mentioned Canada’s geographic advantage: “You’ve got to manufacture things, munitions, tanks and the like… Canada provides defence in depth. It’s much harder to hit this country with missiles.” He noted that cooperation could offer European nations not only a secure source of energy but also wise military training opportunities.

Canada’s strategic moves come in an atmosphere where European governments are promoting significant rearmament as an economic opportunity, creating jobs in the defense sector. As political figures, such as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasize defense spending benefits, Canadian leaders have been urged to capitalize on similar narratives regarding defense cooperation.

In a time of uncertainty, the potential for Canada to forge a more active role within a new international defense framework remains both a challenge and an opportunity. As global power dynamics shift, Canada must navigate its position carefully, fostering allied relationships crucial to its national security interests.