'Can't be saved': Former Canadian defense official says relationship with U.S. is over

Retired Vice Admiral Mark Norman, who once served as Canada's Vice Chief of the Defense Staff, does not believe that the relationship between his nation and the United States is salvageable — even if President Donald Trump is no longer in the White House four years from now.

Writing for the National Post, Norman argues that the U.S.-Canada relationship "cannot be saved," and then goes on to explain why the damage being done by Trump cannot be so easily undone.

"When the leader of our closest neighbor, ally and trading partner says that he can destroy us with the stroke of a pen — and repeats his willingness to do so — it is more than just an expression of perceived superiority or hyperbole, it’s a real threat," argues Norman. "To dismiss it as anything less would be irresponsible and naïve. The question we must ask ourselves is whether we are going to act as a serious nation or not."

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Norman goes on to propose an international anti-Trump alliance in which Canada can lead the way in trying "to convince the other kids in the schoolyard that the bully is not as invincible as he thinks." He also warns that failing to do so will turn international relations into a scene from "Lord of the Flies" that is filled with "chaos, conflict and savagery."

He closes by warning that Canada may need to take once-unthinkable steps to upend its relationship with the United States.

"This may need to include otherwise previously unthinkable actions such as shutting off our oil and gas, electrical power and critical supplies, as well as the abandonment of historic diplomatic and military relationships and commitments," he writes. "We must also convince our other allies — those kids on the sidelines of the schoolyard — that they too have a responsibility to act as they are at risk as much as we are."