Washington has decided to pause its involvement with the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), a joint initiative with Canada that has been in place since World War II. The Pentagon announced the decision on Monday, citing Canada's failure to meet its defense spending commitments as the primary reason.
The PJBD, established in 1940 under the Ogdensburg Agreement between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Mackenzie King, has served as a key advisory forum for bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries. It played a crucial role in shaping continental defense strategies during both World War II and the Cold War, including advising on the implementation of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Elbridge Colby, an undersecretary of defense, announced the pause in a series of posts on X, stating, "We can no longer avoid the gaps between rhetoric and reality". He added that the U. S. would assess how the PJBD "benefits shared North American defense," highlighting the need for "shared defense and security responsibilities". Colby's statements referenced commitments made at a 2025 summit to increase defense spending. While Canada has increased its defense spending, reaching the NATO target of 2% of GDP in 2025, the U. S. appears to be seeking a greater commitment.
The move signals a potential strain in the relationship between the two long-standing allies. Tensions have been simmering over trade, tariffs, and other issues. The future of the PJBD and the broader U. S.-Canada defense relationship remains uncertain as the U. S. reevaluates the benefits of the joint effort.
