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The Canadian government is interested in participating in the second pillar of the 2021 Confronting Beijing agreement, which includes information sharing and cooperation in the development of advanced technologies, such as undersea defense capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and hypersonic warfare.
While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously said Ottawa was not interested in the security pact, two officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the paper on Monday that Canada had changed its mind and was now seeking to join. However, Defense Minister Anita Anand declined to answer directly when asked whether officials had submitted a formal application.
Anand said Canada has close ties with its Five Eyes allies and is interested in further collaboration on artificial intelligence and other innovations. Canada is now waiting to see how the three parties in AUKUS will respond to its possible involvement, with one source saying Ottawa has shared intelligence with each member and could expand those efforts if they join.
Other countries have also indicated their willingness to join AUKUS, with New Zealand considering taking part in the non-nuclear part of the deal and Britain’s defense procurement minister hinting that other countries could also be involved.
The AUKUS treaty was created to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region, but has been criticized by Beijing, which says the agreement will spark an arms race and harm regional stability and peace.
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