Spending, Strategy, and Sovereignty

So, Trump's call for allies to up their game isn't really new; past Presidents have done it too. It's fair enough for the U.S. to ask for more effort from everyone else, especially since they've been doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But here's the catch: America doesn't feel like the reliable partner it once was, especially with their stance on Russia and Ukraine. It's tough to maintain an alliance when the core values aren't as aligned as they used to be.

Every NATO country needs to step up. The U.S. has carried the weight for a long time. But they shouldn't expect to monopolize defence contracts. Plenty of countries can contribute their own military equipment and arms.

Reaching the 5% GDP target for defence spending will be a heavy lift, especially for social-democratic governments in Europe and Canada. It might mean cuts to social services, which isn't ideal. On the bright side, Mark Carney's push to revamp Canada's defence is a huge positive, even if it's overdue. Previous governments let our defence status slide, but hopefully, this is a step toward improving Canada's standing globally. Wishing Carney all the best in turning these plans into action—he's going to need it!

If you haven't yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for June 25, 2025, below!

YouTube: