On Monday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Canada’s National Defense Minister David McGuinty for a significant bilateral discussion at the Pentagon, reinforcing the close defense partnership shared between the two nations. This relationship is particularly underscored by their collaborative responsibility for the defense of North America through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
During the meeting, Hegseth highlighted the historic cooperation between the U.S. and Canada: “Our great nations have served together in many wars. … Today our warfighters continue that legacy, participating in joint exercises and defending the homeland through NORAD, the only binational command of its kind.”
Both Hegseth and McGuinty underscored the need for modernization within their defense operations to meet evolving threats. Hegseth pointed out that the U.S.-Canada defense relationship is crucial for addressing these challenges, noting Canada’s commitment to increase its defense spending to 5% of its GDP by 2035, a move he described as “incredible” and a “very strong step.”
McGuinty announced that under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada is boosting its defense investments, now committing 2% of its GDP to defense, a target achieved five years earlier than scheduled. He emphasized the transformative nature of these investments. “It’s a game changer,” he stated, outlining that the funding will help build combat-ready forces, enhance recruitment and retention, modernize infrastructures across 33 military bases, and upgrade cyber and digital defenses.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosts a bilateral exchange with Canada’s National Defense Minister David McGuinty at the Pentagon, Sept. 22, 2025. © Air Force Staff Sgt. Madelyn Keech, DOW
The conversation also touched on Canada’s efforts to bolster its defense industrial base, with McGuinty revealing plans to streamline processes, enhance resilience, and secure access to critical resources, including vital minerals. He remarked, “These hard power capabilities are going to ensure we’re ready to strike back and defend whenever and wherever we need.”
While Canada is enhancing its defense role in both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions, McGuinty reaffirmed the priority of homeland defense in coordination with the U.S. “Defending North America remains our top priority,” he declared, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Arctic. “Canada is locked in to protect the north, its people, its environment, and its strategic advantage. This is where our sovereignty, national security, and partnership with the U.S. come together strongest.”
The meeting between Hegseth and McGuinty signals a renewed commitment to enhance collaborative defense strategies as both nations work to secure their borders and prepare for future challenges.
