https://www.politico.eu/article/cana...trump-turmoil/
Canada eyes an ‘ambitious’ new partnership with Britain amid Trump turmoil
LONDON — As the Trump administration turns its attention away from Europe, Britain and Canada will double down on their relationship in 2026 with an “ambitious” new strategic partnership, Ralph Goodale, Canada’s High Commissioner to London, has told POLITICO......
Carney and Starmer vowed to boost both nations’ defense spending and procurement this year. They want to position the Canada-U.K. defense relationship for growth, not just in military operations but also in “industrial collaboration” and defense innovation, according to their June outline for the future relationship.
As part of the package, Canada “is interested” in the sixth-generation fighter jet Global Combat Air Programme the U.K. is building with Italy and Japan to take flight by 2035, Goodale said. “Obviously, no decisions have been taken at this stage,” he added. “But this is something that we are actively engaged in examining in terms of Canada's future acquisitions.”
Canada wants to explore how “we can not just participate, but contribute” to the GCAP project, Goodale said, adding it wouldn’t be a replacement for the U.S.-led fifth-generation F-35 but a “progression.”
“When we come to the table for major projects of this kind, playing in the international arena, you don't come empty-handed,” he said, pointing to Canada’s “amazing” technological ability.
Canada has “really kept its successes hidden away” when it comes to AI, Goodale explains, and is keen to contribute in this area to the GCAP project while also working with the U.K. to break away from Chinese and U.S. dominance.......