Joint statement: Toward a strategic partnership between Canada and Sweden
The governments of Canada and Sweden have released this readout regarding the last two days of discussions:
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Canada’s Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s Secretary of State (Defence Procurement), together with Ebba Busch, Sweden’s Minister for Energy, Business and Industry and Deputy Prime Minister, and Pål Jonson, Sweden’s Minister for Defence, released the following statement:
“Canada and Sweden share a close relationship, with extensive cooperation based on common values and mutual interests. Canada was the first country to ratify Sweden’s accession to NATO. Since then, both countries have increased their cooperation for a stable and prosperous Arctic, including through establishing an Arctic security dialogue. As NATO allies, we stand united in defending our freedom, territories, values and interests. Further strengthening our partnership is more critical than ever as we confront shared global challenges, including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the heightened competition in the Arctic.
“Our close relationship also embodies shared values: economic value for our citizens and strengthened resilience for our countries, drawing on the complementarity of our strengths and resources. Canada and Sweden are committed to deepening and broadening our bilateral engagement to tackle shared challenges through working toward the establishment of a strategic partnership.
“Today, we agreed to accelerate efforts to strengthen relations between our two countries. This will include focusing on key policy areas such as the defence industry, particularly in aerospace; digital innovation and artificial intelligence; and nuclear, critical minerals and clean energy technologies and their supply chains.
Defence and security cooperation
Both Canada and Sweden are rapidly ramping up defence investments in response to evolving geopolitical dynamics. There is value in closer industrial cooperation as we strengthen our defence forces, including exploring joint research and development, interoperability initiatives, and opportunities for Canadian and Swedish defence firms to collaborate on advanced technologies.
Space cooperation
Canada and Sweden recognize the growing importance of space for security, science and economic development and will explore opportunities for collaboration through research partnerships that leverage our respective expertise in space innovation and Arctic observation.
Digital innovation and emerging technologies
Digital transformation, while not without challenges, offers new opportunities for collaboration, secure and trusted digital infrastructure, and responsible technological development. Canada and Sweden will work together on emerging technologies, including on efforts to promote cybersecurity resilience, ensure secure and trusted connectivity, and foster innovation in artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.
Critical minerals and clean energy supply chains
Secure access to critical raw materials, clean energy and the development of sustainable supply chains are essential to both clean technology and defence industries. Canada and Sweden are exploring ways to collaborate on responsible mining, innovation in materials processing, nuclear energy production and its supply chains, and the creation of resilient industrial ecosystems that align with environmental and social standards.
Pharmaceutical and life sciences collaboration
Canada and Sweden share a commitment to advancing health innovation and strengthening global health security. Both countries will seek opportunities for joint collaboration.
“At the heart of our ambition lies a common interest in promoting free trade, competitiveness, innovation and a green transition. By strengthening economic ties and encouraging open markets, Canada and Sweden aim to support sustainable growth and foster dynamic industries.
“This work will reflect rich and deepening ties between the people, governments, institutions and businesses of Canada and Sweden. It is our shared belief that cooperation between like-minded partners is not only desirable but also essential in addressing the complex challenges of our time.”
Noah Note: There isnt anything here that would necessarily surprise anyone. However there are several key things in this statement I do wanna highlight. We obviously didnt expect any sort of true agreements out the bat, however meetings like this are a glance into what each party prioritizes and what the government might be looking like.
While defence is obviously at the very top, given this was a defence-focused trip, I find the inclusion of Space to be of peculiar intetest. Canada has been slowly attempting to rebuilds its soverign space capacity, including through new launch sites, like NordSpace and Maritime Launch but also through the funding of service providers like Telesat.
Telesat is set to launch the first satellites in its Lightspeed constellation next year and has already inked deals with European partners with Orange in France and Space Norway.
Telesat Lightspeed will provide a High Throughput, Low Latency, Canadian controlled LEO network tailored for Arctic and Northern connectivity. It will provide Canada a domestic, secure orbital network tailored to her needs, and in turn the needs of our Northern partners.
Leveraging these new assets, new domestic launch capabilities, and new expertise from companies like MDA, Nordspace, and Reaction Dynamics gives Canada a new avenue of relationshio building with allies and the access to space that many of our allies are critically short on.
This also comes as Sweden works to expand its own launch capabilities at Esrange Space Center, an excellent opportunity to learn from each other as we both work to build this critical capacity.
Many know I am high on space, so when I see it I tend to get very excited. It is wonderful to see it take such a high position on current discussions. There is always room to grow in auch a critical sector, and always more that can be done together, leveraging Canada's existing status in the ESA also gives us an inroads to further partnerships with European partners.
Of course I don't want to ignore the defence stuff. A lot of reads like the Early Korean stuff from a few yeats ago, if you were here for that. Both Canada and Sweden are looking at new capabilities to be developed domestically including in areas like radar technology, Arctic surveillance, and unmanned systems.
These are areas that Canada and Sweden, in some cases, already have a relationship in. Both the Halifax-class and Joint Support Ships use Saabs Sea Giraffe radar and its very likely that the future Continental Defence Corvette might use it as well.
Similarly, as Canada is looking to improve its Ground-Based Air Defence anf Sensor capabilities Saab is positioned to offer several potential solutions, including the Giraffe family, ARTHUR, and Sirius systems.
Integration is another interesting area. Further cooperation on systems like the RBS70NG and Carl Gustav feel like easy, natural fits to me. Similar to continuing to foster business cooperation between Canadian and Swedish companies.
I await to see how the Korean roadshow goes in October. That could be a good showing to how valuable these kinds of events could be, and a potential future baseline for fostering and creating these kinds of relationships by setting the stage for companies to network.
To the other points listed, all are fairly expected. We don't get a lot out of them. Digital and Cyber partnerships are not my forte, but they are very important to this government, especially when it comes to things like AI, so I expect we will see more there.
I am also happy to see Nuclear mentioned. As always I believe nuclear export is one of our key cards we hold when it comes to soft power. Canada has the expertise, the resources and the supply chains to help others build up their own industries.
Its a very easy, very economically beneficial card to play when discussing trade, especially as part of a broader transition package that includes Canadian LNG as an intermediate.
So to see this government, who to be fair has been very active on that front this year, continue this trend with new leadership is very welcoming to see.
Overall this meeting feels like a success. I am very happy to see all of these points listed and with the areas being focused on. They are all areas I would be focused on as well.
While this might feel like a lot of nothing to some people, these trips provide officials an opportunity to network and set priorities to focus on. They help open the door for us to promote our advantages and capabilities, especially at a critical time like now.
So, as Joly and Fuhr move on to Finland, I think we can be happy and content with this, and hope for future meetings to come soon.