alternatehistory.com

March 10, 1967

Canadian PM threatens to cut assistance to US war effort

The gap between the United States and Canada widened a little more today. In response to American intractability on the compensation issue, Canadian Prime Minister Lester Pearson has issued a mild warning for the United States. [1] In response to Canadian opponents of that nation’s involvement in Vietnam, Pearson suggested that the nation may halt further sales of ammunition and napalm to the United States. [2]

US officials say that imposition of an embargo on military exports would be tantamount to withdrawal from defense arrangements. Enacted in 1956, the Defense Production Sharing Agreement requires that Canada supply the United States with war materiel in order to increase integration of both countries’ militaries and give Canadian firms better access to the US market. Under this agreement, Canada exports hundreds of millions of dollars in military supplies and raw materials each year, including everything from the berets worn by Green Berets to napalm. [3]

Many are speculating that the Prime Minister’s popular right-hand man, Walter Gordon, may be the brainchild behind this latest effort to play hardball against the Americans. The anti-American sentiment expressed by the unabashed Canadian nationalist are increasingly popular among Canadians, though it is met with great skepticism by many within the Liberal party. Time will tell if Gordon is pushing Pearson further left than he is comfortable. [4]