cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/42897886
Canada has joined a major European Union defense fund, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office said Monday, as the country looks to diversify its military spending away from the United States.
The plan allows Canadian defense companies access to a 150 billion euro ($170 billion) EU loan program, known as Security Action for Europe, or SAFE. That would allow Canadians firms to secure cheap, EU-backed loans to procure military equipment.
“Canada’s participation in SAFE will fill key capability gaps, expand markets for Canadian suppliers, and attract European defense investment into Canada,” Carney said in a statement.
Canada is the first non-EU country to gain access.
Carney has said he intends to diversify Canada’s procurement and enhance the country’s relationship with the EU. He has previously said that no more will over 70 cents of every dollar of Canadian military capital spending go to the U.S.
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Time for Canada to join the EU!
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.
Cancel the F35 turds already.
Use them as bargaining chip until they’re no longer useful. Cancel them as a result of American negotiation intractability.
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?
Heading west too
Cool!
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
Canentry > Brexit
Governance in UK is still in shambles so that’s unsurprising.
Seems like Labour is determined to show that they can also speed run an incompetent, dystopian surveillance state. Its almost impressive.
Who could have guessed that a return to Blairism would be so terrible
