It European Union The foreign policy chief says rates Among the western countries they only serve China Interest and calls for a higher defense expense to keep Russia in control.
« If the United States is doing a trade war with Canada, Mexico or the European Union, who really benefits from this is China, » Kaja Kallas said in an interview on Thursday with the Canadian press.
Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia, oversees the EU’s approach to an alarming new geopolitical climate, one where the United States suggests reducing its commitment to the defense of NATO allies and pursuing a trade war against Europe and Canada.
« We are trying to keep a fresh head, » Kallas said.
« We are also ready to really defend our interests, but it would be our desire that we should not cope with this, because we have so many other problems. »
These problems include the first large -scale terrestrial war in Europe in decades, budget crumbs that have governments from all over the continent struggling to balance their books and a rise in severe weather events caused by climate change.
These threats have led Europe to seek help in Canada in reducing the supply chains of everything, from eating to energy, areas covered in a free trade agreement since 2017.
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« We must definitely deepen our cooperation in these areas, especially in terms of economic security, » said Kallas.
Europe also seeks in Canada to co -operation in military matters.
Earlier this month, the outgoing Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, traveled to London for a European security conference on the maintenance of the support of the Allies in the defense of Ukraine.
Europeans eagerly see reports on a possible cessation of fire between Russia and Ukraine, and some countries have pledged to send troops and planes to maintain peace and avoid further Russian raids.
Canada and the EU have almost a year on a possible collaboration of security and defense.
The pact could be similar to what Brussels has signed with Japan and Korea that cover joint naval exercises or their agreements with non -EU countries in underwater infrastructure.
Kallas said that collaboration with Canada would involve « significant cooperation when it comes to the defense industry » and establishing standards on « investments in defense, so we work together and are willing to help each other. »
He added that Europeans have no interest in creating « parallel structures » to replicate the NATO military alliance.
« The strongest Canada is, and the strongest European allies of NATO are, stronger is NATO, » said Kallas.
The country of origin of Kallas, once part of the Soviet Union, has had a tumultuous relationship with Russia for decades.
He said that Canadians need to understand that Russia is their neighbor on the Arctic side, a region that grows in geopolitical importance due to their trade routes and raw materials.
« Russia is an existential threat, not only for European security, but in fact global security, » he said.
« When we allow Russia to escape the ground attacks and attacks on Ukraine, everything is in danger. »
Kallas said that Europe and his companions have to spend more on defense. Many NATO countries, including Canada, are diminishing the expenditure goal in defense of NATO 2 % of GDP.
Some NATO allies have discussed higher defense expenditure goals than 2.5 or three percent of GDP. Kallas noted that Russia’s defense expense ascended to nine percent of his GDP.
« If we do not invest enough in our defense, they will want to use this military force again, » he said.
« The only thing that detects them is the strength, whether we are strong enough so that they do not test us. »
& Copy 2025 The Canadian Press
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