Trudeau reaffirms Canada’s NATO, NORAD military commitments, despite questions from Trump

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended Canada’s military spending and alliances, pushing back on recent criticism from President Donald Trump while promising billions in new defence investments.  

Trudeau’s comments followed Trump’s latest claims that Canada relies too heavily on American protection. 

“They assume the U.S. is going to protect Canada, and that’s not an assumption they can make,” said Trump earlier this week.  

But Trudeau stressed Canada’s long-standing role in global security partnerships. 

“We are all members of NATO,” said Trudeau during a press conference. 

“We take our responsibilities seriously, not just for Canada, but for North America and our allies.”  

Trudeau pointed out that Canada’s recent plan to modernize NORAD, the U.S.-Canada pact defending shared airspace. 

“NORAD is the only alliance where two countries commit to protecting each other’s homeland,” said Trudeau. 

“We’re both doing our share.”

Trudeau also pointed to a dramatic rise in defence spending since the Liberals took office in 2015, when spending sat below 1% of GDP under the previous Conservative government. 

Canada is now “on track to triple defence investments between 2015 and 2030,” said Trudeau, with plans to meet NATO’s 2% spending target in the coming years, although no definitive date was given. 

The pledge comes as global tensions rise.

“The peace dividends of the post-Cold War era are over. The world is more unstable now,” said Trudeau. 

“That’s why we’re investing in new fighter jets, submarines, Arctic infrastructure, and our mission in Latvia to bolster NATO’s eastern flank.”

When asked why other allies have not publicly backed Canada amid Trump’s remarks, Trudeau suggested global partners are taking note of Canadians unity. 

“People see how patriotic and strong Canadians are, how we’ve come together,” said Trudeau. 

“We don’t need others to tell us we’re a great country.”  

Questions about NATO’s future under Trump’s second presidency were also met with optimism. 

Trudeau recalled similar concerns during Trump’s first term, noting the alliance not only survived but grew stronger, with members boosting defence budgets.  

“NATO is the most successful military alliance in history,” said Trudeau. 

“Challenges like [Trump’s] rhetoric push countries to invest more. We’re committed to defending our sovereignty, our democracies, and our partners.”  

Trudeau acknowledged Canada must “do more” but stressed concrete actions over “assumptions” about U.S. support. 

“It’s about capabilities,” said Trudeau, discussing NORAD upgrades and Arctic security. 

“Canadian troops and their equipment matter most.”  

As geopolitical threats mount, Trudeau vowed Canada will remain a “strong, staunch ally” focused on protecting sovereignty at home and abroad.