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.
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.
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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.
