Trump Slams Canada for Opposing Greenland 'Golden Dome'
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa, following comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) slammed Canada for rejecting his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence project over Greenland, warning that Beijing could “eat them up” within a year as Ottawa moves closer to China instead of aligning with US-backed security initiatives.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Canada opposed the Golden Dome project despite it offering protection to Canadian territory. “Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year!” he wrote.
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions between Washington and Ottawa, following comments made by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos earlier this week.
During his address at the 56th Annual WEF Summit, Trump criticised Carney, saying Canada should be more “grateful” to the United States for the security and economic benefits it receives. “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. They should be grateful, but they’re not,” Trump said, adding that the Golden Dome missile defence system would also safeguard Canada.
“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” Trump said, underlining what he described as the US role in ensuring Canada’s security.
Trump’s comments were directed at Carney, who at the WEF spoke about an era of great power rivalry and criticised tariff coercion, in what was seen as a veiled reference to Washington’s economic pressure tactics.
On January 17, Prime Minister Carney announced a new trade agreement with China, saying it would open markets for Canadian workers and businesses. In a post on X, he said the deal would unlock more than USD 7 billion in export markets.
In a statement, the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said Canada is working to build a more independent and resilient economy by diversifying trade partnerships, adding that China, as the world’s second-largest economy, presents major opportunities.
Under the agreement, Canada has agreed to cut its 100 per cent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for reduced tariffs on Canadian agricultural exports, including canola seeds, CBS News reported. China is set to reduce its tariff on canola seeds from 84 per cent to about 15 per cent.
Carney said there would be an initial annual cap of 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles exported to Canada, rising to around 70,000 over five years. He added that China has become a more predictable partner than the US.
“Our relationship has progressed in recent months with China. It is more predictable and you see results coming from that,” Carney was quoted as saying by CBS News.
Canada currently faces a 35 per cent levy on its goods and is also affected by a blanket 50 per cent tariff on imported metals and a 25 per cent tariff on non-US automobiles.
Meanwhile, the US and China had earlier threatened each other with 100 per cent tariffs, but following a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, exemptions were granted on a portion of Chinese products until November 10, 2026.
