CANZUK gains momentum following the tariffs imposed by Trump

In the wake of the campaign for the Canadian federal election in 2025 and the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, the Conservative Party of Canada, led by Pierre Poilievre, has included in its election platform a significant proposal: the pursuit of the free trade and mobility agreement CANZUK with the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

This commitment, announced on April 22, 2025, marks the first time the party under Poilievre's leadership has explicitly endorsed this initiative, reported CANZUK International on its website.

The CANZUK project, which takes its name from the initials of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom, seeks to establish a framework for cooperation including free trade, mobility of citizens and collaboration in defense, security and intelligence among these four Commonwealth countries.

A historic impetus for CANZUK

The CANZUK concept is not new, but it has gained traction in recent years. In 2018, the Conservative Party of Canada adopted it as official policy at its convention, with overwhelming support of 215 votes in favor and seven against.

Erin O'Toole, a conservative leader at the time, was a strong supporter of the initiative. Speaking to CANZUK International in 2017, he stated that Canada already offers free trade and mobility with the United States, so it should extend these benefits to its closest allies.

James Skinner, executive director of CANZUK International, has been a key driver of this idea since the organization's founding in 2015. Skinner proposes that the agreement emulate existing arrangements such as the Trans-Tasman Travel Agreement between Australia and New Zealand, which allows citizens to live and work freely in both countries, being subject only to health and safety checks.

Potential benefits and political support

Proponents of CANZUK argue that this agreement could generate a powerful economic and geopolitical alliance positioning it as a third world economic power, as noted earlier this year by the Conservative Friends for CANZUK organization.

Support for CANZUK is not limited to conservatives. In 2023, the Liberal Party of Canada endorsed the initiative at its policy convention.

In addition, following the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, two of the four candidates to succeed him in the leadership of the Liberal Party, former Montreal-area Member of Parliament Frank Baylis and former central banker Mark Carney, endorsed CANZUK during a debate.

In the UK, conservative figures such as Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt have expressed interest, while in New Zealand, the ACT party has supported a free movement zone.

CANZUK gains support after Trump's tariffs

Trump's trade war has acted as a catalyst for CANZUK momentum.

The tariffs have put the Treaty between Mexico, the United States and Canada (T-MEC) at risk, which eliminates most tariffs between the three countries. This has led Canada to seek alternatives to diversify its trading partners and reduce its dependence on the US. In 2023, 77.6% of Canadian exports were destined for the United States. Likewise, almost half of Canada's imports came from its southern neighbor.