At this roundtable discussion, we will explore Australia-Canada security cooperation under Trump 2.0, with guest speaker Adjunct Professor Jeffrey F. Collins, PhD, LLD.
Earlier this year, Canada announced its purchase of an Australian military radar system to provide wide-area surveillance. The sale, which would be the biggest defence export in Australia’s history, underscored the growing importance of the long-standing bilateral security partnership. As the “America First” approach of the second Trump administration is testing traditional alliances, like-minded partners like Australia and Canada play an important role in supporting each other’s national security and defence, to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Dr Collins will join us to discuss the role of Australia-Canada security cooperation in an evolving geopolitical landscape and share his insights on key strategic issues including resilient defence supply chains. Professor Gordon Flake, Chief Executive Officer for the Perth USAsia Centre will moderate the discussion.
Guest joining the roundtable discussion
Dr Jeff Collins
Adjunct Professor at the University of Prince Edward Island and Senior Policy Analyst with the Department of National Defence’s Director-General – Material Systems and Supply Chain team.
Renowned for his expertise in Canadian defence procurement and policy, Dr Collins has authored numerous reports, articles, and two books: Reassessing the Revolution in Military Affairs (2015) and Canada’s Defence Procurement Woes (2023). In 2019, he participated in the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program on US Foreign Policy Decision-Making, in recognition of his work on Prince Edward Island–United States trade relations. Before joining the Prince Edward Island Public Service, Dr Collins served as a policy advisor to Canada’s Minister of Veterans Affairs. Dr Collins holds a PhD in Political Science from Carleton University, an MA in International Relations from the University of Birmingham, a law degree from the University of Aberdeen, and a BA and Certificate in Public Administration from Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Discussion moderator
Professor Gordon Flake
Chief Executive Officer, Perth USAsia Centre
Having spent twenty-five years in the US foreign policy community focused on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia and now ten years in Australia’s Indian Ocean capital he is an expert on key strategic relationships in the broader Indo-Pacific. He has authored many scholarly and policy studies on security developments in the region, and their policy implications for the US and its regional partners. Since establishing the Centre in 2014, Professor Flake has worked to build stronger international relationships between Australia, the US and the broader Indo-Pacific. He has led the growth of several major international conferences in Australia and the region; and established a range of high-level diplomatic and policy dialogues on issues of shared concern for the Indo-Pacific.
Related resources
What does Trump 2.0 mean for the Indo-Pacific?
Evan A. Feigenbaum, Vice President for Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace