U.S. Pauses Key Defence Board with Canada Amid Concerns Over Military Commitments

The United States has announced a temporary pause in one of its longest-standing defence cooperation forums with Canada, raising fresh questions about the future of North American military coordination.

On Monday, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said Washington is suspending activities related to the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, a bilateral body created in 1940 to strengthen military collaboration between the two neighboring allies.

In a statement shared on social media, Colby said the Pentagon would “reassess how this forum benefits shared North American defense,” while arguing that Canada has not shown “credible progress” on fulfilling its defence responsibilities.

The announcement came alongside a link to remarks delivered earlier this year by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos. During that speech, Carney spoke about growing instability in global politics and warned of what he described as a “rupture in the world order.”

Although Carney did not directly mention U.S. President Donald Trump during the address, the speech drew attention in Washington. Trump later referred to Carney as “governor,” a comment that sparked political discussion in both countries.

The Pentagon’s decision has surprised many observers, especially as Canada recently increased defence spending and exceeded NATO spending targets. Analysts say the timing is unusual given the current global tensions, including the conflict involving Iran and growing concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route.

Former Canadian Conservative leader Erin O’Toole criticized the move, calling it “profoundly misguided.” In a social media post, O’Toole defended Canada’s role as a close ally of the United States and emphasized the long-standing partnership between the two countries.

“Canada has been and will continue to be an ally that shares the values of liberty,” he wrote.

The Permanent Joint Board on Defense has served for decades as an important advisory platform for military coordination between Canada and the United States. While the pause does not officially end the partnership, it signals growing frustration within sections of the U.S. defence establishment over burden-sharing and strategic commitments among allies.

Neither the White House nor the Canadian government has yet provided detailed comments on how long the suspension may last or whether formal negotiations are underway to restore the board’s activities.