Trump’s Defence Diplomacy by Withdrawal

The Trump administration’s decision to “pause” US participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defence has been framed as a rebuke to Canada for not meeting its defence spending commitments. However, this move is more than just a bilateral spat – it’s a symptom of a deeper issue with how the US approaches defence diplomacy.

Established in 1940 by Franklin D. Roosevelt and William Lyon Mackenzie King, the board has long been seen as an important symbol of the Canada-US relationship. It brings together senior officials from both countries to discuss continental defence initiatives, but its meetings have become less frequent in recent years. According to a former US defence adviser, Imran Bayoumi, cancelling the board would be a “needless provocation” that sends the wrong message to Ottawa.

The reality is that the Canada-US relationship has been in flux for some time now, and the board’s effectiveness in addressing these issues is questionable. One of the main reasons given by US Undersecretary Elbridge Colby for walking away from the board is Canada’s failure to meet its defence spending commitments. This criticism has been levied against Canada for decades – it has long struggled to meet the NATO benchmark of spending 2% of GDP on the military, and only hit this target last year after a significant increase in defence funding.

Canada’s defence spending woes are not the only issue at play here. The US withdrawing from this advisory body suggests that the Trump administration believes the current state of defence diplomacy between the two countries is not working – and perhaps they’re right. The world has changed significantly since 1940, and the Permanent Joint Board on Defence needs to evolve with it.

The US has long been critical of Canada’s defence spending, but this criticism has taken a more pointed tone under the Trump administration. In recent years, there have been calls for Canada to increase its military presence in the North, as well as concerns about the country’s ability to contribute to NATO operations. However, perhaps the biggest issue is not just what this means for Canada-US relations, but also how it reflects on the US approach to defence diplomacy more broadly.

The Permanent Joint Board on Defence was set up as a way of fostering cooperation between the two countries – but in reality, it’s been struggling to adapt to changing circumstances. This raises questions about whether the US is using its leverage to push other countries towards greater defence spending and cooperation, or simply withdrawing from partnerships that are no longer seen as beneficial.

The stakes here are high, particularly given the current global security landscape. As the world grapples with rising nationalism and increasing competition for resources, it’s more important than ever that countries work together on defence issues. The US withdrawal from the Permanent Joint Board on Defence is a missed opportunity to strengthen this partnership – but it also presents a chance for a fresh start.

Looking ahead, one thing is clear: the world of defence diplomacy is changing fast, and the US needs to adapt its approach accordingly. Whether that means revamping existing partnerships or forging new ones, what’s certain is that the US will need to find new ways to achieve its defence goals in an increasingly complex world. The withdrawal from the Permanent Joint Board on Defence may be a significant blow to Canada-US relations – but it also presents an opportunity for both countries to rethink their approach to defence diplomacy.

It’s time for the US to move beyond withdrawal and towards a more nuanced understanding of what it means to cooperate with other nations in the face of shared security challenges. But as we wait to see how this plays out, one thing is clear: the world needs more cooperation on defence issues, not less. The Permanent Joint Board on Defence may be a relic of the past – but its legacy lives on in the need for countries to work together towards common goals.