Canada, Nordic Nations Form Alliance to Reduce US Dependence

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Nordic leaders in Oslo to establish stronger military and economic partnerships. The six-nation alliance aims to coordinate defense spending and reduce reliance on the United States while building what Carney calls a 'middle power' coalition.

Six world leaders gathered in Oslo on Sunday to forge a new partnership aimed at strengthening military cooperation and reducing dependence on traditional alliances, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spearheading the initiative.

The summit brought together the heads of government from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland to establish enhanced collaboration on defense manufacturing and procurement strategies. This meeting represents part of Carney’s broader strategy to diversify Canada’s international relationships beyond its traditional reliance on the United States.

Carney has been actively pursuing partnerships with nations across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe as he works to establish what he terms a coalition of ‘middle power’ countries that could reshape global trade relationships.

Speaking to media following the six-nation summit, Carney emphasized the economic benefits of coordinated spending. “We all agree that if we individually spend that money or we spend it in an uncoordinated way, it’s not going to be value for taxpayers. It also will not protect our people as much as we should,” he explained.

The Canadian leader clarified that this new partnership wouldn’t eliminate existing relationships with the United States. “We will still do a lot of procurement with the United States… but in all cases looking to procure much more in partnership. And it’s a much broader range of countries with whom we can partner,” Carney stated.

The leaders also committed to maintaining their support for Ukraine through various forms of aid, including economic, civilian, military, and humanitarian assistance.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen offered a stark assessment of current global dynamics during the press conference. “The old world order is gone and will probably not come back,” she declared.

“So we have to build something new and it has to be a world order that is built on the values that we represent,” Frederiksen added.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, who served as host for the gathering, highlighted the dual benefits of the enhanced cooperation, noting it would strengthen security measures while simultaneously opening doors for economic expansion.