Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand declared on Monday that the NATO alliance "could never be more important than it is today," pushing back against suggestions that U.S. President Donald Trump has fatally undermined the defence coalition. Speaking in an interview with AFP at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Anand emphasized the resilience of the 32-member alliance amid shifting global dynamics.
Resilience Amid Criticism
Anand rejected the notion that Trump's rhetoric had weakened NATO, stating, "Not at all -- NATO is a resilient alliance." She acknowledged that member states may hold differing opinions but stressed that the organization's strength lies in its ability to engage in difficult conversations and emerge committed to collective defence and security. Her comments came as she met with counterparts from the European Union's 27 nations, underscoring deepening ties between Canada and the EU.
Deepening EU-Canada Ties
Anand highlighted the EU as an "extremely important facet" of Canada's strategy to diversify trade, part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's efforts to boost cooperation among "middle powers." She outlined Canada's goal to double non-U.S. trade over the next decade, building supply chains and trading relationships in response to what she described as a "complete rewiring of the global trading order."
Arctic Security and NATO's Focus
Anand pointed to the Arctic as a critical area for NATO's focus, noting Canada's major role in the region. NATO has increased its attention on the Arctic as part of an arrangement with Trump to dissuade his ambitions on Greenland, a territory of Denmark. "We need to take a step back and say, what are in the best interests of 32 member states from a collective security standpoint in this moment when the global threat environment is changing so rapidly," she said.
Ukraine's Resilience
Co-hosting a conference with the EU on returning Ukrainian children deported by Russia, Anand praised Kyiv's "resilience" for turning around the battlefield situation. "Ukraine is still successful in defending its territorial integrity," she stated, as U.S.-led efforts to broker peace have quietened amid Washington's focus on Iran.
Background on Trump's Impact
Trump has shaken the 77-year-old alliance by criticizing European allies over their response to his war with Iran and ordering the withdrawal of about 5,000 U.S. soldiers from Germany amid a dispute with Chancellor Friederich Merz. Despite these strains, Anand maintained that NATO remains indispensable for Western security in the face of Russian aggression.
