– How far back in history do we have to go to describe what is a close relationship? Quite far back. But let’s take 1949, when the United States through NATO became our most important ally. We are not reorienting that, said the Prime Minister, who describes Nato and the US as “an anchor in our security”.
The clear message came in response to questions from SV leader Kirsti Bergstø during oral question time on Wednesday morning.
All the votes had not yet been counted, but already when the Storting called for question time, it was clear that Donald Trump would win the presidential election in the United States by a clear margin.
He was also likely to get a majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives behind him.
– A new seriousness
It gave the session in the parliament hall a new seriousness, according to Bergstø. The election of Trump will have major consequences for the world “and should have it for Norwegian politics”, believes the SV leader.
– On such a serious day, there is reason to question security guarantees and assess their credibility. Does the Prime Minister see a need to seek stronger ties elsewhere and reorient Norway’s closeness to the United States, she asked.
– We managed to deal in an orderly way when Trump was president last time, and we will manage that again now, said Støre and gave recognition to the Solberg government for the way relations with the USA were handled between 2016 and 2021.
Defense policy spokesperson Bjørnar Moxnes in Rødt reacts strongly to the prime minister’s “doubt that the election of Trump does not change Norwegian security policy”.
Red reacts
Among other things, he points out that the US may withdraw almost entirely from conventional defense of Europe and instead focus on nuclear weapons if Trump chooses to follow the Republican political manual Project 2025.
Project 2025 is a 920 page political manual published by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. It is designed as a plan Trump can follow as president.
– I think many people see that it is urgent to make Norway more independent from the USA. Red wants security guarantees and defense cooperation with democratic countries close to us, regardless of superpower interests and whims from Washington. In addition, Norway must restore our independent defense capability in order to safeguard our self-interest of low voltage in the north, says Moxnes.
#Støre #clear #message #change #relationship #important #ally
**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Emily Larson**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Larson. Let’s dive into the recent remarks from Prime Minister [Name] about NATO and the U.S. relationship, especially in light of President Trump’s past warnings to NATO allies. What do you make of the Prime Minister’s assertion that NATO and the U.S. are “an anchor in our security”?
**Dr. Larson:** Thank you for having me. The Prime Minister’s statement underscores the long-standing historical ties between the United States and NATO allies dating back to 1949. His emphasis on the U.S. as an ”anchor” highlights the importance of continued collaboration despite recent tensions prompted by Trump’s administration.
**Editor:** Yes, and those tensions have certainly been palpable. Trump’s warnings about NATO allies needing to “pay up” created quite a stir. How has this affected the perceptions of NATO among its member states?
**Dr. Larson:** Exactly, Trump’s rhetoric shifted the dynamics within NATO. Allies have had to reassess their defense spending and commitments, which has, in some cases, led to increased military budgets to meet the 2% GDP defense spending guideline. However, it can also breed resentment and mistrust, making cooperative security more challenging.
**Editor:** In your opinion, is the optimism expressed by the Prime Minister justified? Can we expect a return to a more stable and supportive relationship with NATO under the new U.S. administration?
**Dr. Larson:** It’s a mixed bag. While there’s hope for a more traditional diplomatic approach with the new administration, the shadows of prior Trump-era critiques still loom large. NATO’s future depends on a consistent commitment from both sides to strengthen mutual trust and collaboration.
**Editor:** Absolutely. do you think that with the changing political landscape in the U.S., allied countries might feel more secure in their relationship with NATO moving forward?
**Dr. Larson:** Potentially, yes. However, it is crucial for allies to remain proactive and engaged. While a more conventional presidency might stabilize things, NATO countries must work to maintain their security priorities irrespective of U.S. political shifts to ensure collective defense is prioritized.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Larson, for your insights on this important topic. It will be crucial to watch how these dynamics evolve in the near future as NATO prepares for its upcoming summit.
