The NATO summit in Ankara followed a familiar rhythm: convivial pre-Trump meetings, then chaos after his arrival. Donald Trump attacked NATO, demanded Greenland, threatened troop withdrawal, and redeclared war on Iran. Yet the final declaration insisted on "ironclad" Article 5 commitment, noted Russia as a long-term threat, and highlighted a US$139-billion increase in European and Canadian defence spending.

However, profound doubt remains about U.S. willingness to defend allies. The most serious threat to a NATO member's territorial integrity came not from Russia but from the U.S. over Greenland, and Donald Trump allegedly threatened to abrogate the 1908 treaty defining the U.S.-Canada border. This has transformed Canada-U.S. relations, forcing Canada to confront the prospect of defending itself from its former protector.

Canada's dependence on the U.S. for trade and defence has infantilized it, dulling productivity and encouraging internal trade barriers. Now, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada is redirecting trade, raising defence spending to levels not seen since the 1960s, and launching massive infrastructure projects. Canada is beginning to be taken seriously again in international councils.