A retired Canadian vice admiral sees a deeper transformation behind Washington’s NATO tensions, raising questions about what Europe must do next.
The United States’ approach to NATO is unlikely to undergo a sharp revision after Donald Trump’s presidential term ends. This view was expressed by retired Vice Admiral Mark Norman, former Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff of Canada.
According to Mark Norman, Washington’s current actions reflect not only the position of the sitting president but also longer-standing shifts in U.S. relations with its European allies in the Alliance.
The geostrategic situation has changed because of current U.S. policy. I do not think the American position on NATO will change fundamentally even when the current president leaves office. This crisis had been brewing for a long time; Trump merely gave it momentum and forced Europe to take a serious look at itself.
– Mark Norman
Europe Is Strengthening Its Security Independence
The expert believes that European capitals are increasingly working to build a more independent defence and security system. Canada, he said, intends to be part of this process by developing not only political cooperation but also economic and industrial ties with its European partners.
Canada believes that European security is important to global security. This means that Canada will be an ally of Ukraine in negotiations with key European capitals.
– Mark Norman
After meeting with the U.S. president, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Donald Trump was “clearly disappointed” that the allies had not joined the military operation against Iran.