'The friction between our two countries cannot be understated': Fraser on U.S.-Canada relations

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:00]Returning to our coverage now on reported disagreements between Canada and the US on a North American defense pact. It comes as negotiations to end the Iran war are continuing. Let's bring in CTV military analyst and former commander of NATO forces in southern Afghanistan, retired Major General David Fraser. Good to see you Major General.

[00:00:20]There seems to be growing frustration from the US over Canada's level of defense cooperation. What are your thoughts on the arguments the Trump administration is making?

[00:00:30]Well, I think we have to put this into perspective Renee and I think you know Canada has a long history of you know dragging our feet and not answering the call with United States. And when you add that couple with the you know the way the US administration works, the problem the frustration that they would have had is probably [clears throat] gone to a new level. So I think that's why the permanent joint board on defense was it put into pause and I think you know they probably gave us an order which we don't respond to orders as a sovereign nation.

[00:01:02]But at the same time we probably don't have a developed plan that would satisfy them either. I think we're talking past each other. What about the fact that Canada spent over 63 billion on national defense last year and met its NATO target of 2%.

[00:01:18]Well, it's a good point and you know I think for the discussion with the US about NATO, ticking the box, okay, you did good there. But this is about North American defense, this is about NORAD and they want to see an awful lot more.

[00:01:31]So again if we talk about Golden Dome, F-35, NORAD renewal, you know, these are the things that Americans are going to be talking about including border security, support to civil authorities, you know, and this is where Canada just has to be a little bit more specific in what it is that meets our own national interest that will support with Americans interest. But you know, the friction point between our two countries cannot be understated. Now, this paper reportedly cited the F-35 fighter jets order. Canada is still reviewing its order for more of them. What is holding back that decision?

[00:02:10]Uh in a word, politics. I mean, it's it's it's going to be up to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense to make their the final decision what they want to do. And you know, at the same time, you know, we're trying to offset some of our exposure to the United States both militarily, politically, and economically. So, the F-35 is wrapped up in that whole thing, and this has been going on for a long time. And so, I I suspect Americans are just getting frustrated, and they're also kind of concerned about, you know, the Gripen is not compatible with the F-35 and the air command and control systems. I suspect that's part of the discussions, but we're just taking a long time to make decisions.

[00:02:49]Let's pivot to the war in Iran. Both the US and Iran today signaling that progress in peace talks has [clears throat] been made, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that there could be news as early as today.

[00:03:03]We have heard this type of thing before from the Trump administration. Is there reason to believe an agreement is coming now?

[00:03:11]Well, I think we're reaching a culminating point with all parties that, you know, everyone's exhausted in you know, Lebanon, Israel, Iran. There's just sheer exhaustion and no sense of of a political solution. So, I think what we're going to see is a managed instability that will be you know, you know, on the ground, you know, the Lebanese, Hezbollah, and Israel will agree that, you know, they're going to normalize military operations as much as they can.

[00:03:40]But, the real political issues that they set out to go and achieve have not been managed or achieved, and I think we're going to start seeing a step back by everybody Uh just so we can actually move on because no one's gaining any ground on this and that everyone's just going to try to take a pause.

[00:03:59]All right, Major General. Thank you very much for your time. Great chatting with you.

[00:04:03]Renee, thank you. That is Major General David Fraser, CTV military analyst.