Brexit Britain could begin new CANZUK alliance for space, trade and defence next year
| Published date | 27 June 2021 |
| Publication title | Express, The/The Express on Sunday: Web Edition Articles (London, England) |
And that would provide significant opportunities for investment in satellites.
“Military cooperation is one of the most important things Canzuk can do - it’s a force multiplier which allows you to pool very expensive things that first tier military powers need to have, Space is one of those:” said James Bennett, the US founder of two rocket companies and author of 'The Anglosphere Challenge'.
“Orbits go all the way round the earth, so any developments in satellite technology would automatically serve all four countries.”
And because countries would retain complete sovereignty it would not preclude the UK from continuing its close relationship with the US or taking advantage of membership in the £9t Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership ,to which the other three nations already belong.
"We've had numerous calls with the DiT and I was even asked to present on the idea of mutual skills recognition among Canzuk countries,” said James Skinner, ceo of Canzuk Intentional.
“And it seems that the DiT was listening - the FTA goes beyond trade to include issues we’ve been campaigning on such as skills recognition, whereby professionals such as lawyers lawyers from each country can move across freely.
“But Canzuk will be an incremental, step-by-step process. Gradually, things like the 35 age limit will be extended, and it will go on to fold in other issues.”
Austrian Senator Eric Abetz said: “Once the frameworks have been worked on a bilateral basis and Australia, New Zealand and Canada have their deals with the UK, I would imagine this will add impetus to ask ourselves why we aren’t going beyond this to a quad basis.”
DiT sources agreed there was interest in pursuing Canzuk, but warned: “The sticking point with Canzuk will be lukewarm support from the Canadians and Kiwis, but it’s a nice idea.
“The New Zealand agreement is likely to be similar in shape to the Australia deal, but it’s too early to say what we’ll get with Canada”
New Zealand MP Simon O'Connor MP said: “While Canzuk isn’t yet been talked...
To continue reading
Request your trial