CANZUK International updated poll- "merger" of UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

SteelTown · #1 Posted **Feb 27, 2025, 3:43 PM**

Canada races to revive Commonwealth ties with its U.S. relationship on shaky ground
Minister says Canada needs the U.K. 'more than ever' as it grapples with Trump

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-commonwealth-canzuk-1.7468363

The Canada-U.S. relationship is at its lowest point in more than a century with President Donald Trump's near-daily threats to ruin the Canadian economy and undermine the country's sovereignty.

With the U.S. losing its long-held place as Canada's most trusted partner, the country's leaders are now clamouring to revive ties to like-minded countries, most notably historic allies like Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Proponents of a "CANZUK" alliance say Canada's political leaders should strike while the iron's hot and immediately bolster trade links, push to integrate the militaries to improve mutual defence and pursue mobility rights so citizens can move about in a bid to lessen dependence on an increasingly belligerent U.S.

Together, the four countries could be a formidable bloc with a combined GDP of roughly $6.5 trillion and the world's third-largest military force — a partnership that could help them ride out Trump's political convulsions, said James Skinner, the CEO of CANZUK International, a group that advocates for closer ties.

BlackDog204 · #2 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 1:51 AM**

Considering the other thread poll was introduced in 2018, and so many things have changed in the last 3 months, I think an updated poll would give a better reading of who supports this.

Nouvellecosse · #3 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 1:53 AM**

That's a great idea but why did you create a new thread specifically for the purpose of starting a new pole and not include a poll in it?

BlackDog204 · #4 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 1:57 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

That's a great idea but why did you create a new thread specifically for the purpose of starting a new pole and not include a poll in it?

There is a poll. I voted.

Nouvellecosse · #5 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 2:04 AM**

Nice! It wasn't there when i commented but it's there now so all good.

casper · #6 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 2:29 AM**

I propose Vancouver as the HQ for the new CANZUK. The only city with non-stop flights to all CANZUK capitals.

It would be petty to try to pick a location that casts a shadow on the form disgraced Trump Hotel and Resort, especially given it has been rebranded post bankruptcy. However it is ok to be petty sometimes.

savevp · #7 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:52 AM**

Vancouver is the geographically-logical choice. I believe it is the current HQ for the Canzuk advocacy group, although it may be little more than a PO box at this point.

ssiguy · #8 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 4:35 AM**

I voted yes as any closer relations we can get with our friends is always welcome. It would bring us closer together on political, military, and social alliances but economic, not so much.

We do very little trade with Aus/NZ and for good reason. They are mostly exporters of raw materials and food both of which we have in spades. Our trade with the UK has been consistently dropping and even more so now with Brexit. It was our business doorstep to Europe but no longer.

Better relations, bring it on but don't be under any illusions that these countries are going to make a dent in the exports we lose to the US. For that we have to go to Europe.

Mister F · #9 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 5:45 AM**

The obsession with this CANZUK thing always struck me as odd. The UK and Australia are part of AUKUS. The US is the leading partner in the Five Eyes. Sure Trump could torpedo all that but I've seen no evidence that the UK for example has any particular affinity for CANZ over the US. And it's not like they've proven themselves to be reliable partners in international unions *cough*EU*cough*

At best, CANZUK would be little more than a symbolic club with no real consequence like the Commonwealth. Meh.

casper · #10 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 6:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister F

The obsession with this CANZUK thing always struck me as odd. The UK and Australia are part of AUKUS. The US is the leading partner in the Five Eyes. Sure Trump could torpedo all that but I've seen no evidence that the UK for example has any particular affinity for CANZ over the US. And it's not like they've proven themselves to be reliable partners in international unions *cough*EU*cough*

At best, CANZUK would be little more than a symbolic club with no real consequence like the Commonwealth. Meh.

Give it time.

Australia is in a difficult position given its trade dependence on China. The AUKUS deal is dependent on the goodwill and a great deal of trust that Australia is placing in the US. Trust that is now misplaced.

There are many in Australia who are skeptical that they will ever see a US submarine with an Australian flag over the next 10 years.

The UK like the rest of Europe remembers Nazi Germany and is in fear of Russian advancement. They don't particularly like Musk interfering in their electoral process. They thought the US shared their world view. That is not the case anymore.

For different reasons I think we will see an alliance form as everyone distances themselves from the US. There are other smaller national that may also find a new alliance attractive. Singapore perhaps.

BlackDog204 · #11 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 6:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister F

The obsession with this CANZUK thing always struck me as odd. The UK and Australia are part of AUKUS. The US is the leading partner in the Five Eyes. Sure Trump could torpedo all that but I've seen no evidence that the UK for example has any particular affinity for CANZ over the US. And it's not like they've proven themselves to be reliable partners in international unions *cough*EU*cough*

At best, CANZUK would be little more than a symbolic club with no real consequence like the Commonwealth. Meh.

The UK will come around, if their leader has any type of balls. Trump has stabbed nearly every ally in the back, and it is only a matter of time before they do the same thing to the UK, once they stand up to the USA on Ukraine, their ties with Putin, or their treatment of the EU or Canada.

I could be wrong, and Keir Starmer may be a compete tool, and simp to Trump. Then again, with Trump's unpopularity, the opposition party would win the next election, and toss him out.

Calgarian · #12 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 6:24 AM**

Looks like Starmer is a bit of a bitch. Macron showed some balls, but Starmer's face when Trump said "that's enough" was hilarious. Not sure we have a trustworthy ally there. The conservatives will make a comeback for sure in the UK, though Starmer has a majority, so it's 4 year of Neville Chamberlain politics.

Edmonton_Ian · #13 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 6:46 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Looks like Starmer is a bit of a bitch. Macron showed some balls, but Starmer's face when Trump said "that's enough" was hilarious. Not sure we have a trustworthy ally there. The conservatives will make a comeback for sure in the UK, though Starmer has a majority, so it's 4 year of Neville Chamberlain politics.

All politicians besides Singh in Canada are spineless. He said Trump should be disinvited from the G7 summit in Kananaskis. Trudeau and PP said? NAH....

svlt · #14 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 8:39 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton_Ian

All politicians besides Singh in Canada are spineless. He said Trump should be disinvited from the G7 summit in Kananaskis. Trudeau and PP said? NAH....

It wouldn't accomplish anything and if Singh was actually calling the shots there would be 0 chance he would actually bar Trump. I like Singh as a person and I believe he's trying to look out for the good of many Canadians but he's all bark no bite.

FWIW on this thread I support CANZUK and even if it's a little meaningless it would be worth the endeavor to bring closer ties with like-minded countries besides the US.

Truenorth00 · #15 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 9:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Looks like Starmer is a bit of a bitch. Macron showed some balls, but Starmer's face when Trump said "that's enough" was hilarious. Not sure we have a trustworthy ally there. The conservatives will make a comeback for sure in the UK, though Starmer has a majority, so it's 4 year of Neville Chamberlain politics.

I've seen nothing to convince me that British conservatives would act with any less deference towards Trump.

Honestly? I think we need better relations with the French. That's the only country in the West état genuinely strives to be independent of the US.

Calgarian · #16 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmonton_Ian

All politicians besides Singh in Canada are spineless. He said Trump should be disinvited from the G7 summit in Kananaskis. Trudeau and PP said? NAH....

I like Singh, but the G7 summit would be useless without the US, they are more than half the total economy of the G7. We can and should start having other meetings without them though, time for the rest of us to band together.

I'm secretly hoping Dump gets eaten by a bear! or a Moose lol

MonctonRad · #17 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I'm secretly hoping Dump gets eaten by a bear! or a Moose lol

I imagine the local wildlife would find Drumpf's flesh kinda tough and gamey. They wouldn't like it much.

There might be other opportunities to plan his demise while visiting Canada. All we have to do is be creative.

Ozabald · #18 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by casper

I propose Vancouver as the HQ for the new CANZUK. The only city with non-stop flights to all CANZUK capitals.

It would be petty to try to pick a location that casts a shadow on the form disgraced Trump Hotel and Resort, especially given it has been rebranded post bankruptcy. However it is ok to be petty sometimes.

When did YVR get non stop flights to Canberra and Wellington?

hipster duck · #19 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:25 PM**

Sure, I don't think it's a bad idea to set up a better trade relationship with the UK and Australia/NZ, although what do they have that we don't?

I agree that if we want to set up better relations with another advanced industrial country that France is a good pick. I think it would be better for our national unity if we were closer to France, rather than the old Commonwealth. France also specializes in exporting things that we actually are interested in buying like nuclear reactors and high speed rail.

Their military kit is entirely independent and homegrown, right? I can't really comment on that, but it might be good not to be so dependent on the Americans.

Acajack · #20 Posted **Feb 28, 2025, 3:34 PM**

Assuming we really did want to cozy up to France, the time to do that would have been when the Justin Trudeau-Emmanuel Macron bromance was at its hottest. Now it has cooled down quite a bit and Trudeau is on his way out. The likely successors (Poilievre or Carney) don't seem as suited for a bromance with Macron who will be there until 2027, or perhaps with who will replace him then (Le Pen?). Of course, one never knows.

Also, from my admittedly limited knowledge from friends, acquaintances and family, aside from a few very specific individuals Canada's foreign affairs apparatus (Global Affairs, Privy Council Office, and even National Defence) is not super attuned to or interested in France and is extremely anglosphere-centric.