Peter Navarro, one of Donald Trump’s closest advisors, reportedly believes that Canada should be excluded from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. According to the Financial Times, this is a way to increase pressure on Canada to become part of the US.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance consists of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Member countries work together to monitor and share intelligence on security threats and the alliance has its origins in cooperation established after the Second World War.
According to Financial Times sources, Navarro, who is the White House chief strategist, believes the US should exclude Canada from the alliance. As one of Trump’s closest advisers, he believes this would be a way to increase pressure on Canada to become part of the US.
Trump has expressed his desire for Canada to become part of the US and has recently imposed 25% tariffs on imports from both Canada and Mexico. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently announced his resignation, responded by imposing countermeasures on several US goods.
“Crazy stuff”
It is unclear whether Navarro’s proposal has resonated with Trump, but it is reportedly being discussed among White House officials.
Following the Financial Times’ publication, Mr. Navarro denied pushing such an idea, describing it as “crazy stuff”.
– We would never ever jeopardize our national security . . . with allies like Canada, Navarro said.
A Five Eyes official warns that excluding Canada could lead to criticism from other allies.
– Sitting where I’m sitting and looking at the array of threats that are coming at us we need all the partners we can get, the intelligence official said.
Navarro served four months in prison last year for defying Congress. He allegedly refused to cooperate with the congressional committee investigating the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.
