Blair ‘not worried’ about potential U.S. withdrawal from NATO under Trump – National | 24CA News
Defence Minister Bill Blair says he’s “not worried” concerning the United States’ continued dedication to NATO and different worldwide alliances, together with NORAD, amid current feedback from Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump.
In an interview with Mercedes Stephenson from the Munich Security Conference that aired Sunday on The West Block, Blair mentioned he’s “confident” not simply that NATO will stay robust, however that Trump would change his tune on probably withdrawing the U.S. from NATO if he had been to see the alliance at work at the moment.
“I’m actually confident that if former president Trump had an opportunity to see the unity of purpose, the strength and resolve of the NATO alliance to significantly increase their defense spending … I think he would have a greater appreciation of the value of NATO,” the minister mentioned.
“I’m confident in NATO’s commitment, and I’m also confident that the United States continues to be supportive of that commitment.”
Trump has begun repeatedly suggesting the U.S. wouldn’t defend NATO members that don’t meet the alliance’s non-binding pledge to spend at the very least two per cent of GDP on defence — a membership that features Canada, which presently spends 1.38 per cent. Trump has falsely equated the pledge with membership dues and complains different members are leeching off the U.S. navy.
Some of Trump’s present advisers have floated the thought of a “two-tiered” strategy to NATO, the place the U.S. would nonetheless provide protections to nations that meet the two-per cent spending goal if attacked by a international energy — below the alliance’s Article 5 — and never defend members that don’t spend sufficient.
Blair wouldn’t commit that Canada will someday meet that two per cent threshold, however did say extra investments in defence are coming.
“We are looking to do more,” he mentioned. “Canada must do more and needs to do more. We will be doing more with respect to defence spending.”
The minister wouldn’t present specifics, as an alternative pointing to earlier commitments to spice up defence spending via 2026 and $40 billion in investments to modernize Canada’s NORAD capabilities. He mentioned he’s “confident” extra will likely be introduced on the subsequent NATO leaders summit in July.
Those NORAD modernizations are already underway in Canada’s north, together with over-the-horizon radar and significant infrastructure helps. Blair mentioned his conferences with northern premiers and a current go to to NORAD’s Colorado Spring headquarters have satisfied him Canada and the U.S.’s dedication to NORAD will proceed to develop — even in a Trump presidency.
“I’m not worried, but I’m highly motivated,” he mentioned. “I’m resolved. And we’re going to do that work and get the job done.”
Blair advised Trump can be impressed by the power NATO has gained within the two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the alliance’s ongoing work to assist in Kyiv’s defence. But Trump has overtly questioned continued U.S. funding for Ukraine and referred to as for a negotiated finish to the warfare — one thing NATO and Ukraine have staunchly refused to assist.
The minister mentioned studies of Russian opposition chief Alexei Navalny’s loss of life in jail on Friday supplied a stark reminder of the significance of constant to face in opposition to Russia. Navalny’s spouse Yulia Navalnaya was additionally on the Munich Security Conference and took the stage in response to the studies, vowing Russian President Vladimir Putin should be held accountable for her husband’s loss of life.
“It was very emotional, I think, for very many of the participants,” Blair mentioned. “And I think it really places a great deal of punctuation and concern on one of the main themes of this conference, which is Russia’s illegal intervention and invasion of Ukraine.”
He mentioned Canada’s mounting sanctions on the Russian regime and people aiding or benefitting from the warfare in Ukraine have been profitable, however that Canada and different western nations are “going to continue to explore ways in which we can hold this very oppressive regime to account.”
Blair was additionally pressed on his and the Liberal authorities’s positions on the battle within the Middle East, which has come below scrutiny as Israel’s navy offensive in Gaza continues.
The defence minister mentioned he nonetheless believes in Israel’s proper to defend itself and the necessity to eradicate the terrorist menace posed by Hamas.
“But eliminating that terrorist threat can’t be done at the expense of the Palestinian people,” he continued. “There’s a lot of innocent people who have have suffered, and we’re very concerned.”
He additionally echoed the federal government’s public opposition to Israel’s deliberate offensive in Rafah, the place Palestinians in Gaza that fled the territory’s north below Israeli orders at the moment are residing, and assist for a direct humanitarian ceasefire to permit the entry of support and the discharge of hostages taken by Hamas.
Blair mentioned he sympathizes with Liberal MPs like Rob Oliphant, the parliamentary secretary to the minister of international affairs whose personal feedback criticizing the federal government’s place on Israel and Gaza — together with the suspension of funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees within the Near East (UNRWA) — went public final week.
“I’m sure he’s been deeply moved by the plight of those innocent civilians” in Gaza, Blair mentioned. “One of the issues I feel is the power of our authorities is that range of opinion.
“I think that the position that the government has taken is the right one. But I understand and I have some sympathy for concerns that are being expressed by a number of my colleagues.”
Blair mentioned he’s additionally targeted on guaranteeing the protection of Canadian troops within the Middle East, notably amid escalating assaults by Houthi rebels and different teams backed by Iran on business ships and U.S. and British navy belongings.
“I’m always concerned about the safety and well-being of members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” he mentioned.
“We will take all the steps necessary to keep our people as safe as possible, as they do a difficult and sometimes dangerous job for us.”
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