Canada’s allies ask whether they can accommodate under the American nuclear umbrella

It seems apparently, the days when the phrase “nuclear go” meant metaphorically.

Since the beginning of the year and the opening of the second Trump administration, an increasing number of Washington’s nearest allies began to throw calm-and sometimes not calm-if they can still rely on the ability to determine nuclear deterrent for decades.

Some places feel that uncertainty is more benign than South Korea.

In the face of an irregular neighbor, it is often returning to a nucleus in North Korea, Kim Jong Un, it may not be surprising that the recent ballot showed nearly three quarters in the Democratic South for their country to obtain nuclear weapons.

While the idea of ​​obtaining nuclear weapons to guard its sovereignty is very far and there is no place on public policy radar, some of the main allies in the country are actively discussing what it may seem unimaginable a few years ago.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in early March that his country was looking to reach nuclear weapons – more likely through the security guarantees of security with France.

South Korea, which is in the midst of a presidential election campaign, does not have a near -armed nuclear armed luxury for the United States

“As of now, South Korea is completely dependent on an extended deterrent provided by the United States,” said Ban Keld Go, a former naval officer in South Korea at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul.

Change in the North Korean position

Regardless of Washington’s male approach to the allies, the Korean Republic has other reasons to be excited.

Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic partnership that includes torrents of concern that includes high -tech transportation that can be used in missile technology. North Korea forces are gaining experience in the critical battlefield in the fighting alongside Russian soldiers against Ukraine.

More importantly, though, said Ban, Pyongyang calmly changed her nuclear situation, and this means that her weapons are no longer purely defensive.

The United States and South Korea cooperate with North Korea’s containment through a bilateral agreement known as the nuclear consultative group, which meets twice a year at the level of senior officials, including defense, military and intelligence.

He said that his country will not start simply and start unilaterally to pursue nuclear weapons and that he personally doubts that it will be a wise policy, regardless of.

“Although” all options will still need to be on the table, I do not think that the nuclear is an option (to follow up) – or it is chosen as a qualified or relevant policy in the government. “

The tremendous cost of maintaining a nuclear arsenal is one defect, but if he says that his country does not want to go on this path and does not like the international message it sends in terms of nuclear spread.

“It is not a good sign or there is no rational behavior, if South Korea will make nuclear weapons without any negotiations,” he said.

After saying this, South Korea has not yet signed or ratified the Nuclear Weapons Prohibition Treaty, according to the international campaign to cancel nuclear weapons.

This is likely to be a calculated strategy by the government in Seoul.

He said that diplomacy should be at the forefront and the center.

He said: “If the United States is ready to provide a nuclear deterrent that is promoted to deter any kind of North Korea’s nuclear threat, there is no reason for South Korea armed with nuclear weapons.”

However, the idea of ​​obtaining nuclear weapons has a political traction in Seoul.

Former President Yoon Sok Yol, who was removed from his post last month by the country’s constitutional court after that A failed attempt to declare martial lawPublicly supported the idea.

Yoo Yong-Won, a member of the Power People People (PPP) in Yoon, launched an initiative at the National Assembly known as the Mugunghwa Forum, which aims to enhance support for the basis for going at the speed of nuclear if needed.

In negotiations with Washington, many depend on the demands that the Trump administration in South Korea.

Like Canada, the first repetition of the presidency of Donald Trump witnessed demands that Seoul bears more burden and the cost of her defense.

Hyunki Cho, the Deputy Minister of Defense, told CBC News in a recent interview.

The talks resumed.

“I am limited as I can say,” said Zhu. “We are currently going through these negotiations, but I think I can say that I am sure that President Trump will completely think about what we have done so far as well as the position of the Korean Peninsula in the India and Pacific region.”

At this stage of the discussion, Zhu said, the United States “did not explicitly” South Korea increased defensive spending. The country allocates approximately $ 50 billion annually – or 2.8 percent of its GDP – to defense.

The researchers at the Washington -based strategic and international studies center indicated that the Trump administration has been silent about whether the American nuclear deterrent was a question.

Much of uncertainty is driven by Trump’s threats not to protect allies who do not benefit from his expectations and spending threshold.

It is strange that this is the place where Canada entered the conversation in South Korea, which witnessed the inclusion of the United States and economic bullying with a mixture of panic and warning.

Senior officials – in defense and foreign ministries in Seoul – told CBC News during the background surroundings.

The feeling they get is if Canada can be thrown on the side, so what does that mean for them and – what do they do about it?