US Senators Are Critical of Canada’s Lengthy Military Spending Timeline
Two U.S. senators emphasized the need for Canada to quickly increase military spending in response to threats from Russia and China. They mentioned that the country’s current plan to reach 2 percent of GDP by 2032 is considered too slow for lawmakers in Washington.
Republican Sen. James Risch from Idaho and Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen from New Hampshire told Global News that President Donald Trump would find the timeline of 2032 laughable in light of current global challenges.
Risch highlighted the obligation of all 32 NATO countries to meet defense spending requirements, citing examples of smaller economies meeting their obligations. He stressed the importance of the military alliance, especially as Russia poses nuclear threats to NATO countries.
In light of recent missile strikes by Russia on Ukraine and threats from Putin, the senators discussed the urgency for Canada to increase military spending to address threats from Russia and China, especially in the Arctic region.
Related Stories
Senator Shaheen mentioned discussions with Defence Minister Bill Blair about Canada’s NATO commitment and the potential threats from Russia and China in the Arctic region. She emphasized the importance of maintaining strength among NATO members to counter these threats.
Although NATO requires members to spend a minimum of 2 percent of GDP on defense, Canada is projected to spend only 1.37 percent in 2024, making it one of the nine countries not meeting the target. Blair reiterated Canada’s commitment to reaching the defense spending target by 2032 and acknowledged the need to increase spending on various military assets.
President Trump’s criticism of NATO countries failing to meet the 2 percent GDP spending target was highlighted during his presidency. He referred to non-compliant countries as “delinquent” and indicated a reluctance to defend them against Russian threats if the spending requirements were not met.
Border Security Concerns
Senator Risch acknowledged the need for border security between Canada and the U.S., while focusing on more significant challenges at the U.S.-Mexico border. He noted the shared concern over illegal migration and the importance of addressing it collaboratively.
Risch also addressed concerns about illegal immigration from Canada, particularly for the state of New Hampshire, which has a significant population of Canadian descent. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with Canada while addressing border security issues.
President Trump’s emphasis on border security led to plans for a large-scale deportation operation targeting illegal immigrants. His administration expressed concerns about overwhelming border patrol agents at the Canada-U.S. border amid a surge in migrant encounters.
The Canada-U.S. border has experienced an increase in migrant encounters in recent years, with a notable rise in numbers from 2022 to 2024. The RCMP has prepared for potential challenges posed by increased migration volumes from Canada, ranging from a minor uptick to a full-blown crisis.
