Canada remains an “indispensable” ally despite political tensions, U.S. admiral says

Adm. Samuel Paparo offered a firm dividing line between military cooperation and the political fight consuming Canada-U.S. relations: Canada, he said, remains an “indispensable” partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Speaking to reporters in Victoria, British Columbia, the head of U.S. Pacific Command said military-to-military relations rested on the shared need to defend the Pacific coast of North America. “Military-to-military relationships are such a serious foundation, they’re executed without emotion, they’re executed on the facts on the ground of a requirement to defend our spaces together,” Paparo said.

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Military-to-military relationships are such a serious foundation, they’re executed without emotion, they’re executed on the facts on the ground of a requirement to defend our spaces together.

He said armed forces must remain apolitical and focused on geography, capability and long-term interests. “Militaries are designed to remain apolitical and ruthlessly focused on defence of the geography and the capability and the long term interests of the company,” he said, adding that military professionals stayed focused on their mission despite political disputes.

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Militaries are designed to remain apolitical and ruthlessly focused on defence of the geography and the capability and the long term interests of the company.

Those disputes have intensified since trade discussions collapsed on Aug. 21. The Trump administration accused Canadian negotiators of changing the proposed agreement at the last minute, while Ottawa said Washington had presented terms different from those discussed. Prime Minister Mark Carney said the U.S. proposal included unacceptable demands involving French-language and cultural rules, Canada’s trade agreements with other countries, and the future of its auto industry. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick accused Carney of breaking off talks to gain leverage over sovereignty movements in Quebec and Alberta.

Paparo spoke at the end of the annual Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence conference, co-hosted by the United States and Canada. The gathering brings senior military leaders together to discuss regional security and military cooperation, including with close allies and adversaries such as China.

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They treat their biggest trading partner so, so poorly.