Overview
- The Department of Defense paused participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense on Monday, with Undersecretary Elbridge Colby announcing a review of the forum’s value.
- Colby said Canada has not shown “credible progress” on its commitments and underscored his point by linking to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Davos address in his announcement.
- Carney downplayed the step on Tuesday, noting Canada reached NATO’s 2% target in 2025, is funding upgrades to NORAD, and said day‑to‑day cooperation will continue even though the board last met in 2024.
- Analysts described the pause as a political signal meant to steer Canada’s defense choices, including potential pressure over the still‑unsettled F‑35 purchase, while the Pentagon has not outlined further measures.
- The board, created in 1940 under the Ogdensburg Agreement, serves as an advisory venue on continental defense, and its suspension lands amid broader strains with U.S. allies during President Trump’s second term.