The idea of CANZUK (a closer political, economic and strategic partnership linking Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) is gaining traction as middle powers search for stability in a more volatile world, notes The Diplomat. Proponents argue that the four countries’ shared Westminster systems, common-law traditions and intelligence cooperation through the Five Eyes could underpin freer movement of people, deeper trade integration and tighter diplomatic coordination. Support from figures such as Pierre Poilievre and Tom Tugendhat reflects growing interest, though immigration anxieties and limited political appetite remain the biggest barriers to turning the concept into policy.
RTSBasebuilder on
First step, CANZUK.
Second step, Commonwealth free trade zone (yes I know it’s a pipe dream but a fella can dream)
Amtoj on
I know the usual criticism here is that the UK is better off in the EU, but as far as I can tell, there’s no conflict. The UK wasn’t ever in the Schengen Area on the migration side. It’s not like dealing with non-British citizens is a new issue for the Common Travel Area with Ireland either.
Our geography isn’t an issue. As of 2021, twice as many British people were residing in Canada compared to Americans.
What about rejoining the single market? As long as the UK isn’t a member of the EU, it seems to me they can keep all existing trade deals like the CPTPP. Just look at all the individual ones that Norway is part of outside the EFTA.
Genuinely, why not both? It just makes sense for the four of our countries to get closer together, especially when the US isn’t the reliable central pillar they’d usually be for us.
Korece on
I think it makes more sense for the UK to tightly integrate with Europe and the responsible nations of the Pacific to pursue our own integration scheme. And these two groups can closely cooperate.
Jigsawsupport on
Nah
Too small, too far apart, too disparate needs.
The EU needs to become the WU the World Union, and start admitting any functioning long term democracy that wants to join, its the only way for the middle powers to survive and prosper in this time of beasts.
Certainly-Not-A-Bot on
I once supported this idea for Canada, but I’d much rather establish closer ties with the EU. A ton of EU politicians recently said that Canada could in theory join, which obviously won’t happen anytime soon but signals an intent to establish closer ties. The UK is kind of a shithole these days and Aus/NZ are really far away, which limits the value of trade agreements and mobility agreements we might make with them.
6 Comments
The idea of CANZUK (a closer political, economic and strategic partnership linking Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) is gaining traction as middle powers search for stability in a more volatile world, notes The Diplomat. Proponents argue that the four countries’ shared Westminster systems, common-law traditions and intelligence cooperation through the Five Eyes could underpin freer movement of people, deeper trade integration and tighter diplomatic coordination. Support from figures such as Pierre Poilievre and Tom Tugendhat reflects growing interest, though immigration anxieties and limited political appetite remain the biggest barriers to turning the concept into policy.
First step, CANZUK.
Second step, Commonwealth free trade zone (yes I know it’s a pipe dream but a fella can dream)
I know the usual criticism here is that the UK is better off in the EU, but as far as I can tell, there’s no conflict. The UK wasn’t ever in the Schengen Area on the migration side. It’s not like dealing with non-British citizens is a new issue for the Common Travel Area with Ireland either.
Our geography isn’t an issue. As of 2021, twice as many British people were residing in Canada compared to Americans.
What about rejoining the single market? As long as the UK isn’t a member of the EU, it seems to me they can keep all existing trade deals like the CPTPP. Just look at all the individual ones that Norway is part of outside the EFTA.
Genuinely, why not both? It just makes sense for the four of our countries to get closer together, especially when the US isn’t the reliable central pillar they’d usually be for us.
I think it makes more sense for the UK to tightly integrate with Europe and the responsible nations of the Pacific to pursue our own integration scheme. And these two groups can closely cooperate.
Nah
Too small, too far apart, too disparate needs.
The EU needs to become the WU the World Union, and start admitting any functioning long term democracy that wants to join, its the only way for the middle powers to survive and prosper in this time of beasts.
I once supported this idea for Canada, but I’d much rather establish closer ties with the EU. A ton of EU politicians recently said that Canada could in theory join, which obviously won’t happen anytime soon but signals an intent to establish closer ties. The UK is kind of a shithole these days and Aus/NZ are really far away, which limits the value of trade agreements and mobility agreements we might make with them.