Trending Now - US Halts Historic WWII Defense Collaboration With Canada

WHO:

AP News - The Pentagon, President Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Elbridge Colby, Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska.

WHAT:

AP News - The United States is pausing its participation on a joint board with Canada for continental defense that dates back to World War II.

AP News - The Pentagon accused Canada of failing “to make credible progress on its defense commitments.”

AP News - The Permanent Joint Board on Defense is comprised of military and civilian officials from both countries.

AP News - Canada and other nations agreed to increase defense spending at a summit in 2025.

AP News - NATO countries, including Canada, pledged to spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035.

AP News - The board was established in 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Mackenzie King.

AP News - The board provided advice on the implementation of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

WHERE:

AP News - The announcement involves the United States and Canada.

WHEN:

AP News - The board was established in 1940.

AP News - Canada’s government stated it would meet the previous 2% defense spending target for this year.

WHY:

AP News - President Trump has long accused Canada and other NATO countries of spending too little on their own militaries.

AP News - Elbridge Colby stated, “We can no longer avoid the gaps between rhetoric and reality.”

HOW:

AP News - The Pentagon announced the pause in a string of posts on X.

(UPDATED May 19, 2026 19:37 UTC)

The United States has decided to pause its participation in a long-standing joint defense board with Canada, a partnership that dates back to World War II. The Pentagon has accused Canada of not making credible progress on its defense commitments, a sentiment echoed by Elbridge Colby, who noted the growing gap between rhetoric and reality. This announcement comes as Canada and other NATO nations have pledged to increase their defense spending, with a commitment to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035.