OTTAWA – The American ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, is closely monitoring the evolution of Ottawa's defence budget, emphasizing that the United States will not impose expectations on Canadian military spending. In a recent interview, Hoekstra stated, “We’re not expecting anything; that’s not our job to make those expectations,” highlighting the context of NATO’s new spending targets endorsed by defence ministers.
Hoekstra underscored that the core purpose of the NATO military alliance is mutual defence, reflecting on the sacrifices made by Canadian troops in Afghanistan when the U.S. came under the NATO treaty’s collective defence clause. “They were fulfilling the commitment that they made to NATO – that when one of us is attacked we are all attacked, and we will defend each other,” he affirmed regarding Canadian soldiers’ contributions in the international conflict.
While Hoekstra did not directly address U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting that the U.S. might not support countries that do not contribute adequately to defence, he acknowledged that Canada’s defence spending has been a source of “irritation” in U.S.-Canada relations. Recent discussions among NATO defence ministers in Brussels included potential new targets for member spending on defence, potentially rising to as high as five percent of GDP.
Since the establishment of NATO’s existing defence spending target of two percent in 2006, Canada has yet to meet this threshold. As of 2023, Canada’s defence spending is reported at 1.33 percent of GDP, with projections suggesting it may rise to 1.45 percent in 2024. Hoekstra commented on these figures while discussing the broader implications of the U.S. expectation for enhanced Canadian military investment.
The Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has committed to expediting Canada’s timeline to meet the two percent target from 2032 to 2030 or even sooner. However, tangible plans to achieve this adjustment have yet to be made public and would require substantial additional annual investment.
The Prime Minister is slated to meet with other NATO heads of government for an annual summit beginning June 24 in the Netherlands, where they are anticipated to approve a new defence investment plan. This plan outlines expectations for member nations to invest 3.5 percent of GDP on core defence and 1.5 percent on related investments, such as infrastructure and resilience, against a backdrop of decreasing U.S. commitments and rising geopolitical tensions, particularly from Russia.
In recent years, U.S. lawmakers from both parties have encouraged Canada to bolster its Arctic defence strategy, with Trump previously indicating that defence initiatives in this region could cost Canada approximately US$61 billion as part of a broader missile defence project. Hoekstra mentioned he has not seen detailed cost breakdowns but acknowledged that U.S. officials have expectations regarding Canada’s financial contribution to this defence strategy.
Defence Minister David McGuinty revealed that Canada is undergoing a comprehensive review of its defence expenditures, promising more information on future plans. However, the government is not expected to release a budget until the fall, which leaves several questions about financial commitments and strategic direction unanswered.
Hoekstra framed NATO as an integral component of the wide-ranging security partnership between the U.S. and Canada, encompassing efforts to ensure secure energy supplies and combat illicit drug trafficking. He remarked, “We need to do the things that will keep our citizens safe,” reflecting on the shared interests and commonalities between the two nations.
While discussing broader national issues, Hoekstra characterized Trump’s efforts as transformative for the U.S., aimed at addressing issues such as unauthorized immigration, overspending, and significant trade deficits. Trump’s dialogues with Carney are expected to cover comprehensive border security reforms recently proposed by the Canadian government.
Despite Trump’s comments suggesting the possibility of Canada joining the U.S. as an American state, Hoekstra clarified that his focus remains on mutually beneficial policies and not on the prospect of Canadian incorporation into the U.S. political structure. Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson noted that while Hoekstra may be constrained by Trump’s positions, his accessibility to the president may influence the public messaging surrounding U.S.-Canada relations.
