Official Pushes Canada’s Exit from Five Eyes Pact

A White House official is pressing to oust Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance a move that could reshape decades of Western security ties per the Financial Times. The unnamed figure argues Canada’s lax border policies and alleged leaks threaten the group’s mission. This bold call targets the pact uniting the U.S. UK Australia New Zealand and Canada since World War II. It’s a rare public rift in an alliance built on trust now tested by Trump-era priorities.

The Five Eyes has shared secrets on everything from Soviet spies to terror plots. Canada’s role spans signals intelligence via bases like CFS Leitrim near Ottawa. Yet the official claims Ottawa’s soft stance on illegal immigration lets threats slip south. Recent border data backs this with 200 daily crossings stopped in February a 15-year low under Trump. Critics say Canada’s past leaks like a 2019 Huawei flap fuel doubts. The White House sees this as a weak link in the chain.

Trump’s team has long griped about allies not pulling weight. The official’s push reflects a broader America First tilt eyeing tighter control over intel flows. Canada’s 5600-mile border with the U.S. makes it a frontline for illegal aliens and smugglers. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has railed against northern laxity joining ICE raids to nab criminals. Kicking Canada out would signal Trump means business on security even if it jolts allies.

Ottawa fired back calling the idea reckless. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Canada’s intel contributions are vital with 2024 reports pegging its share at 15 percent of Five Eyes data. She warned that expulsion would weaken not strengthen the pact. Experts agree noting Canada’s eavesdropping on Russia and China aids U.S. aims. The spat risks souring ties as Trump’s trade tariffs already strain the $900 billion U.S.-Canada economic bond.

The alliance’s other members watch warily as this unfolds. The UK and Australia rely on Canada’s Arctic listening posts to track Moscow’s subs. New Zealand shares the official’s border gripes but favors reform over rupture. A 2023 Five Eyes memo flagged Canada’s vetting as subpar yet no partner has endorsed expulsion. Trump’s man stands alone for now though his clout in a GOP-led White House carries weight. The debate’s heating up fast.

Inside the U.S. the proposal splits opinion along partisan lines. Hawks cheer it as a wake-up call to allies letting illegal immigrants flow. Democrats blast it as Trump bullying a neighbor over policy spats. Intelligence brass reportedly lean against it fearing lost data outweighs gains. The CIA and NSA stay mum but 2024 budgets show $2 billion tied to Five Eyes inputs. Cutting Canada could cost more than it saves.

Canada’s next moves may sway the outcome. PM Justin Trudeau faces pressure to toughen borders with 2025 elections looming. He’s mulled mirroring Trump’s ICE surge but risks his liberal base. The White House official wants deeds not words threatening to push expulsion at the next Five Eyes summit. Allies urge talks to mend fences yet Trump’s style leans toward ultimatums. The clock’s ticking on a 77-year pact.

This gambit tests Trump’s sway over a storied alliance. Success would tighten U.S. grip on intel but alienate a key partner. Failure might embolden Canada to drift from Washington’s orbit. The official’s play taps a nerve on security and sovereignty with illegal immigration as the spark. For now it’s a lone voice in the White House but one loud enough to rattle Five Eyes’ foundations. The fallout’s just beginning.