US President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Canada, accusing Ottawa of opposing his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system over Greenland while choosing to strengthen economic ties with China.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday, Trump claimed Canada was blocking the project despite the security benefits it would offer.
“Canada is against the Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though the Golden Dome would protect Canada,” Trump wrote. “Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year.”
Canada Pushes Back on Defence Claims
Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman spoke to CBS News about Canada’s determination to enhance its defense capabilities in response to Trump’s statements.
Hillman stated that Canada will spend more than $80 billion on its defense systems during the next five years which also includes Ottawa’s efforts to work with Washington on joint surveillance and security operations throughout the region.
She explained that protecting our hemisphere requires different capabilities to work together so we maintain constant surveillance of the entire area.
Tensions Rise Amid Trade and Security Disputes
The US and Canada have reached a point of escalated tensions because Trump made his latest comments which combine military policy disputes with commercial trade conflicts and diplomatic relationship issues.
The remarks come shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing, where Canada and China agreed to reduce tariffs on certain agricultural products and set quotas for Chinese electric vehicle imports. The visit could also pave the way for increased Chinese investment in Canada.
Carney, the first Canadian prime minister to visit China in a decade, described recent relations with Beijing as “predictable” and “respectful,” indirectly referencing uncertainty surrounding US trade policies.
Davos Exchange Fuels War of Words
Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump reiterated that the Golden Dome missile defence system would automatically extend protection to Canada.
“We’re building a Golden Dome that’s going to, just by its very nature, be defending Canada,” Trump said. “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. They should be grateful.”
Trump went further, claiming that Canada’s security depended entirely on the United States—remarks that Carney firmly rejected after returning from Davos.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said. “We are masters in our own home.”
Carney also warned against coercion by major powers toward smaller nations and called on “middle powers” to cooperate amid what he described as a fragmenting global order.
What Is the ‘Golden Dome’ Plan?
The Golden Dome proposal envisions a US-controlled missile defence shield using space-based sensors, interceptors and advanced tracking systems. The Trump administration has estimated the project’s cost at $175 billion, while the Congressional Budget Office has warned that space-based interceptors alone could cost up to $542 billion over the next two decades.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described Greenland as “strategically important” to the project, stating that Canada had been invited to participate—“if they want to pay their share.”
However, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, has criticised the proposal, likening it to a “protection racket.”
Greenland and Broader Territorial Rhetoric
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to US national security and has renewed calls for greater American control over the territory. He has also revived controversial remarks suggesting Canada could become the 51st US state, recently sharing altered maps depicting Canada and Greenland as US territory.
The escalating rhetoric highlights growing divisions between the long-time allies over security, sovereignty and the future balance of global power.
