Advertisement
As Canada and UK hit refresh on China ties, is this the end of Five Eyes?
The White House’s ‘America first’ strategy is prompting alliance members to take another look at their relationship with Beijing
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
20
Dewey Simin Beijing
In the first few weeks of this year alone, the leaders of two of the five “eyes” in the world’s oldest intelligence-sharing alliance signalled they were ready to rethink their relationship with China.
First came Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and then this week it was the turn of his British counterpart, Keir Starmer.
And in both cases, the visits have prompted warnings from US President Donald Trump.
Advertisement
As Western economies grapple with the unpredictability and at times hostility of the White House’s policies, Canada and Britain have both sought to find a new way to work with China – a country that the Five Eyes has accused of espionage.
The shift is a “tough balancing act” for the alliance’s non-US members – which also includes Australia and New Zealand – but they are unlikely to pull out of the grouping just yet, according to observers.
Can Canada mend its relationship with China?
Can Canada mend its relationship with China?
The Five Eyes was formed in the aftermath of World War II, built on an agreement between the United States and Britain to exchange foreign intelligence. The grouping was expanded to Canada, Australia and New Zealand and continued throughout the Cold War.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x