Canadian PM Carney says country will meet NATO spending target in 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday predicted that his country will meet the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's defense spending target by the end of the year. 

Canada is considered lagging in its defense spending, which is currently at 1.37%, and previously predicted it would reach its 2% target by 2032. President Donald Trump has pushed NATO countries to help carry the weight of defense spending by designating 2% of their total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense.

Carney framed the change in spending as a necessity because of changes in the world that have left Canada more vulnerable, including a fallout with the United States, Politico reported.

“A new imperialism threatens. Middle powers must compete for interests and attention, knowing that if they’re not at the table, they’re on the menu,” Carney said in Toronto. “Our fundamental goal in all of this is to protect Canadians, not to satisfy NATO accountants. But now the United States is beginning to monetize its hegemony, charging for access to its markets and reducing its relative contribution to our collective security.

“We stood shoulder to shoulder with the Americans throughout the Cold War and in the decades that followed, as the United States played a dominant role on the world stage,” he continued. “Today, that dominance is a thing of the past. It is time for Canada to chart its own path and to assert itself on the international stage.”

The commitment comes as NATO leaders consider boosting their spending commitments to 3.5% of their GDP and an additional 1.5% on defense-related infrastructure by 2032.

The comments also come as Canada prepares to host world leaders at the G-7 summit in Alberta later this month. Defense leaders are additionally expected to meet in The Netherlands from June 24-25. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.