After Greenland bid, Trump warns of Canada's vulnerability to Russia and China: Report
US President Donald Trump has expressed concerns about Canada's vulnerability to rivals like Russia and China, urging increased defence spending. This has sparked discussions for a potential agreement to enhance security at the northern border.
US President Donald Trump days after citing a security threat as a reason to buy Greenland, has now raised concerns with aides about Canada’s susceptibility to America's so-called rivals in the Arctic, such as Russia and China, NBC News reported, citing current and former US officials.
He further said that Canada needs to spend more on its defence. Trump’s efforts have accelerated internal talks about a possible agreement with Canada this year to strengthen its northern border, the news portal noted.
“Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this,” one of the officials told the news portal.
“They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities. This is not acceptable given today’s threats,” said one senior administration official.
While Canada has been increasing its defense spending, it still falls short of NATO targets, the officials said. Trump’s advisers are exploring measures to strengthen US-Canada military cooperation, including joint patrols, exercises, and upgraded early warning systems in the Arctic.
“At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic. Canada stands to benefit from the U.S. having Greenland,” the official said.
Does Trump plan to buy Canada?
The current US officials said there is not discussion of stationing American troops on the ground along Canada’s northern border. And unlike with Greenland, Trump is not seeking to purchase Canada or saying he might take it by US military force, the senior administration official and current and former US officials said.
Broader Western Hemisphere strategy
Trump’s growing focus on Canada aligns with his broader push to expand US influence across the Western Hemisphere. Earlier this year, he deployed military forces to Venezuela, threatened Cuba, and warned Colombia and Mexico of possible intervention to curb drug trafficking.
Diplomatic dynamics
Canada’s public stance remains firm: Greenland’s fate is up to Greenland and Denmark. Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed support for Denmark as a NATO ally during a recent visit to Beijing, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to strengthen economic ties.
“That’s a good thing. If you can get a deal with China, you should do that,” Trump told NBC, commenting on Carney’s trade talks.
Despite past tensions—including trade disputes and Trump’s prior threats to make Canada the “51st state”—the current US-Canada talks remain focused on cooperation rather than confrontation, officials said.
“Trump has not ruled out using military force to seize Greenland, but ‘it’s highly unlikely’ he would do so with Canada. ‘I don’t see it with Canada,’” the president told NBC, according to a current US official.