EU-Canada pact could quietly reshape Western security architecture

The European Union and Canada signed a significant security and defense cooperation agreement on June 23 in Brussels, which both sides described as a “historic step.” The pact spans strategic domains such as cyber and space security, arms control, crisis response, defense procurement, and support for Ukraine. While widely praised as a practical advancement in transatlantic defense ties, some argue that its deeper implications are widely underappreciated.

This agreement marks a deliberate shift in the Western security architecture, with an article published by the Geopolitical Monitor publication arguing away from one anchored primarily by the United States to a more distributed, multipolar strategic order. It reflects a growing trend among US allies to build alternative security partnerships amid global instability and increasing unpredictability in Washington. These emerging arrangements are intended not to replace US leadership but to embed resilience, diversify defense dependencies, and modernize how Western allies manage geopolitical threats.

A key feature of the EU–Canada agreement is that it functions outside the NATO framework, even while reinforcing many of its objectives. NATO remains the core of transatlantic defense, yet internal strains—such as disputes over burden-sharing and differing threat perceptions—have prompted some allies to seek supplementary avenues for cooperation.

For Canada, the strategic calculus is straightforward. As Prime Minister Mark Carney noted, “75% of Canada’s defense procurement spending is currently directed toward US manufacturers.” The new pact opens avenues for collaboration with European firms, enabling Canada to diversify its defense partnerships and supply chains. Practically, this could mean expanded joint procurement, research and development, and integration with European military-industrial platforms.

On the EU side, the agreement is consistent with its broader goal of enhancing strategic autonomy. Although a complete decoupling from NATO or the US is neither desired nor politically feasible, recent initiatives such as the SAFE (Security and Arms for Europe) program and the European Defense Fund signal the bloc’s intent to become a more coherent and capable defense actor. The EU–Canada pact fits this pattern, enhancing European capacity without undermining NATO.

Evolution away from US hegemony?

The article views this agreement as emblematic of a broader transformation in the global security landscape. The unipolar, US-dominated post–World War II order is eroding, giving way to what the author calls a “multipolar West.” In this emerging system, alliances are becoming more networked, with multiple centers of influence. Canada’s deepening ties with the EU, along with Japan’s expanding defense dialogue with Europe, and Australia’s shift toward greater collaboration with France and Germany, reflect this pragmatic reconfiguration. The author contends that this is not a fragmentation of the West but a diversification—a necessary adjustment to a world where the US can no longer be expected to bear the entire burden.

Importantly, this trend is, according to the author's view, not anti-American in nature as it does not reject US leadership; rather, it recognizes that American reliability is no longer guaranteed. The Trump administration’s questioning of alliance commitments served as a wake-up call for many US partners, compelling them to hedge their strategic bets. As the article notes, “American reliability can no longer be assumed.”

This evolution presents both challenges and opportunities for Washington. It may reduce US influence over allied defense priorities, but it could also enhance the West’s overall strength by spreading risk and building resilience. “US policymakers would be wise to interpret this development not as a rebuke, but as a reinforcement,” the author advises.

The agreement also signals a shared resolve to uphold the rules-based international order. Explicit references to Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and global arms control norms highlight a common front against authoritarian revisionism. In this sense, the pact serves both strategic and normative goals.

Moreover, it reflects the growing convergence of economic and security policy. Today’s defense concerns extend beyond traditional hardware to include cyber resilience, AI governance, and space security. Canada and the EU’s planned digital standards agreement—covering areas like 5G, AI, and critical technology supply chains—marks a step toward a new tech alliance.

Despite these advances, the author points out structural limitations. Canada’s defense sector still faces EU trade barriers due to the incomplete ratification of CETA. Ten EU member states have not ratified the agreement, constraining Canadian firms’ access to EU defense markets. The author believes that unless these hurdles are addressed, the full strategic potential of this landmark pact will remain unrealized.

By Nazrin Sadigova