Canada Promises Meeting NATO Defense Spending Target

(MENAFN) This year, Canada will meet NATO's defense spending goal of 2 percent of its GDP, as announced by the Premier on Monday.

The decision comes in response to increasing global instability and the nation's over-reliance on the United States.

According to Mark Carney, the country's excessive dependence on its southern neighbor needs to be addressed.

Carney emphasized that Canada will meet the 2 percent target "half a decade ahead of schedule" and pledged to continue enhancing its defense investments in the future.

Speaking at a press conference in Toronto, he framed the move as a vital step in securing Canada's role on the global stage.

The Prime Minister further warned that the world is facing increasing threats that are “unraveling the rules-based international order."

These challenges, Carney explained, are a direct result of a more fractured and perilous global environment, compelling Canada and other middle powers to adapt to new realities.

He pointed out that the international order, shaped by post-World War II agreements and the end of the Cold War, has long been a foundation for Canada's foreign policy.

Carney also highlighted growing strategic competition and recent actions taken by the US.

He noted that the United States is shifting its approach to global dominance, saying, "Now the United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony, charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contribution to our collective security."

In conclusion, Carney emphasized that Canada must take a more proactive role in fostering a secure and prosperous global environment.

He called for a new model of international cooperation, where Canada helps create a system that maximizes mutual support over dependency.

This, he suggested, would contribute to greater resilience and less emphasis on efficiency.

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