US Eyes Expelling Canada From Five Eyes Alliance Amid Rising Tensions

New Delhi: A top White House official has proposed to expel Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network amid tensions between both countries. 

President Trump expressed a desire to annex Canada and planning to reinstate 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports after a one-month reprieve ends on March 4, as per media reports.

This comes as Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is set to leave office on March 9, was recently overheard warning that Trump’s intentions to incorporate Canada are a "real thing." This statement highlights the growing unease between the US and Canada.

Also read | It Would Be Better Off As 51st US State: Donald Trump 'Serious' on Annexation of Canada Amid Tariff War

However, despite these tensions, White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, a close ally of Trump, publicly stated that the US would not jeopardise its national security with allies like Canada. Meanwhile, Navarro is reportedly pushing for Canada’s expulsion from the Five Eyes alliance, though it remains unclear if Trump supports this proposal. The idea is currently being discussed among White House officials.

What is the Five Eyes Alliance and the Risk of Expelling Canada from it?

The Five Eyes alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, is a cornerstone of global intelligence sharing. It plays a critical role in intelligence operations, such as the CIA-led Pine Gap satellite station in Australia. Former CIA official Dennis Wilder called the alliance "by far the most successful intelligence-sharing arrangement in world history." He warned that disrupting this longstanding partnership would likely be welcomed by US adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran.

While Canada and New Zealand contribute less to the intelligence network, removing any member would risk significant backlash from Washington’s allies. A senior intelligence official cautioned that expelling Canada could be a high-risk move, particularly given the range of global security threats facing the US, as per the report.

Also read | Canada Is Going To Be Very Serious Contender Of Becoming America's 51st State: President Trump

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon, who helped Trump during the 2016 campaign, stressed that Canada should take Trump’s annexation ambitions seriously, especially given China's increasing influence in the Arctic. However, he cautioned that expelling Canada from the Five Eyes would be counterproductive, as Canada has historically been a vital military ally.

Peter Navarro, who is known for his strong trade views, served as a key trade advisor during Trump’s first term and was appointed senior counselor for trade and manufacturing in December.

Canada Is Going To Be Serious In Becoming US's 51st State: Trump

A few days earlier, US President Donald Trump on Friday suggested that Canada might become a serious contender to become America's 51st state due to its ongoing trade issues with the United States.

Speaking to reporters when talking about tariffs, President Donald Trump said, “Canada has been very bad to us on trade. But now Canada is going to have to start paying up. Canada has been tough on the military because they have a very low military cost. They think we are going to protect them with our military, which is unfair..."

"Canada is going to be in a very interesting situation because we just don’t need their product and yet they survive of the fact that we do 95 per cent of what they do and Canada absolutely I say it sometimes people smile, sometimes they say it's a great idea but in Canada taxes will come down greatly, their security would go up greatly… amazing things happen to Canada and really Canada… why would be pay 200 billion dollars a year in subsidies to them, one they are not your state, you do that for your state but not for someone else’s country… I think Canada is going to be a very serious contender to be US's 51st state," he added.