U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, was photographed at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa on Friday, June 6, 2025. The Canadian Press
The American ambassador to Canada said the US is watching how Canada shapes its defence budget. He made clear that the US will not tell Canada how much to spend. “We’re not expecting anything; that’s not our job to make those expectations,” Ambassador Pete Hoekstra said in an interview last Friday.
He added that NATO’s main goal is to protect all members if any one of them faces an attack. He praised Canadian troops for their work in Afghanistan. “They were fulfilling the commitment that they made to NATO — that when one of us is attacked we are all attacked, and we will defend each other,” Hoekstra said.
Tensions over defence spending
Hoekstra did not comment directly on former US President Trump’s remarks from March. Trump said the US might not help countries that don’t pay their fair share on defence, and accused Canada of relying too much on the US for continental defence.
However, the ambassador admitted Canada’s defence spending has caused some friction with the US. NATO recently asked members to consider raising defence spending targets to 5% of GDP. Canada has never met the old target of 2%, set in 2006.
Canada’s defence spending trends
Canada’s defence spending rose from about 1% of GDP in 2014 to 1.33% in 2023. NATO’s latest report predicts Canada will reach 1.45% in 2024. Despite the low percentage, Canada ranks seventh in NATO spending and 14th worldwide by dollar amount.
Prime Minister Mark Carney promised during the last election campaign to meet the 2% target sooner, by 2030 or earlier, instead of 2032. But he has yet to share a detailed plan. Experts say Canada will need to add billions to its defence budget every year.
Carney will announce new defence priorities soon. He will attend a NATO summit in the Netherlands starting June 24. Leaders there will likely approve plans for members to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence, plus 1.5% on related investments like infrastructure.
New challenges push defence focus
This plan comes as US commitment to defence seems to wane and Russia shows aggression. Both major US parties have asked Canada to boost Arctic defence. The previous US administration praised Canada’s Arctic policy last year.
Trump proposed a “Golden Dome” missile-defence shield for North America. He said on May 27 that Canada’s share would cost about US$61 billion. Hoekstra has not seen the detailed costs but said the technology is impressive and the cost share should be fair.
Canada reviewing defence spending
Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty said the government is reviewing its entire defence budget and will share more details soon. The government does not plan a new budget until fall.
Hoekstra described NATO as one part of a broad US-Canada security partnership. This partnership also covers energy security and fighting illegal drug trade.
“We need to do the things that will keep our citizens safe,” Hoekstra said. “There are a lot of things that Americans and Canadians have in common, and we’re looking forward to great days.”
US domestic concerns influence policy
Hoekstra explained that Trump aims to fix US problems like illegal border crossings, government overspending, and trade deficits. “The president is transforming that, because we need to,” he said.
Discussions between Trump and Carney will likely include Canada’s new border security laws, though Hoekstra had not yet reviewed them.
He said he focuses on policies that benefit both countries. Despite Trump joking about Canada joining the US to save money, Hoekstra rejected that idea.
A former Canadian diplomat noted Hoekstra has limits on how much he can differ from Trump’s views. Still, Hoekstra’s close access to the president suggests he advises Trump well.
