US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Canada, accusing Ottawa of opposing his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system over Greenland while choosing to deepen economic ties with China.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday (local time), Trump said, “Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada.” He added, “Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year!”
Responding to the claims made by Trump, Canadian ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman told CBS News, "Canada is investing over $80 billion over the next 5 years in our defense systems.”
"When we have talked to the President about protecting our hemisphere, we have talked about ways in which our different capabilities can work together so that we have eyes on the region," Hillman said.
The comments mark the latest escalation in Trump’s increasingly personal criticism of America’s northern neighbour, bringing together defence policy, trade competition and long-running bilateral tensions and border issues.
Trump’s remarks come days after Canadian PM Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing, aimed at reviving economic engagement with China, Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. And Carney’s blistering attack on the US and West at large in his address in Davos.
Also read: Trump withdraws Board of Peace invite to PM Mark Carney after 'Canada doesn't live because of US' remarkThe visit resulted in an agreement to cut tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural products and set quotas for Chinese electric vehicles entering Canada. The deal could also see more Chinese investments in Canada.
As the first Canadian leader to visit China in a decade, there were talks of “new world order” between him and Chinese premier Xi Jinping, who hailed the "turnaround" in their relationship. Talking about the deal Carney appeared to allude to Trump tariffs as a factor, telling reporters that Canada's relationship with China had been more "predictable" in recent months and that he found talks with Beijing "realistic and respectful".
Trump when asked about the renewed engagement, he signaled his approval. “It’s OK. That’s what he should be doing,” he said.
What went down in Davos
Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump reiterated that the Golden Dome missile defence system would inherently extend protection to Canada.
“We’re building a Golden Dome that’s going to, just by its very nature, be defending Canada,” he told attendees. “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also.”
Trump went further, asserting that Canada’s security depends entirely on Washington. “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he said, referring to Carney.
The Canadian Prime Minister responded directly to Trump rejecting his claims.
Also read: Trump returns home to cold reception to his Davos success that critics say was a debacle “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said after returning from Davos. Emphasising sovereignty, he added, “We are masters in our home. This is our own country. It’s our future. The choice is up to us.”
At Davos, Carney had warned against coercion by major powers toward smaller nations, without naming Trump. He called for “middle-powers” to unite and warned against an US-led global system that was “merely evolving but breaking apart.” Back in Canada, he said the country could still demonstrate that “another way is possible” amid rising authoritarianism.
The exchange sharpened further after Trump announced he was withdrawing an invitation for Carney to join what he called his “Board of Peace.”
What are the key contentions
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state and recently posted an altered map showing Canada, Greenland, Venezuela and Cuba as part of US territory.
It came as after American operation in Venezuela to capture its leader Nicolas Maduro, Trump has renewed his aggressive push to wrest control of Greenland, which he says is “strategically important to US national security.”
Trump has also insisted that Canada wants to be part of the Golden Dome system, which he says should be fully operational before the end of his term in 2029. However, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, described the proposal as resembling a “protection racket.”
The Golden Dome plan envisions a US-controlled missile defence shield using space-based sensors, interceptors and advanced technologies. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said Greenland is “strategically important” to the project and told CNBC that Canada had been invited to participate – “if they want to pay their share.”
The Trump administration has estimated the system’s cost at about $175 billion. The Congressional budget office warned in a report that space-based interceptors alone could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over the next two decades.