President Donald Trump is reportedly taking aim at Canada and warning of its “vulnerability” to foreign adversaries.
Multiple officials who spoke on condition of anonymity told NBC News that in recent weeks, Trump has complained about the Arctic region of the “Great White North” being encroached upon by China and Russia. U.S. officials are now reportedly considering coordinating with Ottawa to strengthen Canada’s northern border.
“Trump is really concerned about the United States continuing to waver in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on that,” one official told the outlet.
Trump’s recent focus on Canada comes after a whirlwind first year in office, characterized by bold unilateral actions to expand U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere — often through thinly veiled military threats, an approach he has dubbed the “Donro Doctrine.”
The 79-year-old president launched a surprise military strike against Venezuela earlier this month, leading to the arrest of leader Nicolás Maduro, who is currently in federal custody on drug charges. Trump also issued stern warnings against U.S. intervention in Cuba, Colombia and Mexico, while repeatedly expressing interest in acquiring the Danish territory of Greenland and not giving up the use of military force, triggering deep concerns among U.S. allies.
According to reports, Trump took aim at Canada after previously threatening to make Canada the “51st state” and expressed concern about Canada’s “vulnerability” to opponents (Getty Images)
Trump claims that no external constraints — not even international law — bind him on the global stage. when asked new york times The limit he faces this month is, he said: “One thing. My own morals. My own mind. That’s the only thing that’s stopping me.”
Supporters see Trump’s move as crucial to countering foreign interference in the Western Hemisphere, while critics decry the administration’s actions as an illegal threat that jeopardizes a long-established network of U.S.-led alliances.
Unlike Greenland, U.S. officials say Trump has no intention of annexing Canada. Instead, he aims to work with Prime Minister Mark Carney to bolster the country’s defenses – a sharp departure from his previous call for Canada to join the United States as the “51st nation,” which has strained relations between the two countries.
One official said protecting Canada’s northern border is a fundamental aspect of Trump’s goal to “solidify” the Western Hemisphere.
“Ultimately, this is about deterring further Russian and Chinese presence in the Arctic,” the official said, according to NBC News, adding that “Canada will benefit from U.S. ownership of Greenland.”
Canadian officials have spoken out against Trump’s Greenland plan, and Carney said on Friday he supported the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO member.
U.S. officials are also seeking to work with the Canadian government to protect Canada’s Arctic regions.
According to NBC, “Options being discussed include updating Canada’s systems to provide early warning that an adversary is approaching the country’s territory or waters, more joint U.S. and Canadian military training and operations, and increased joint air and water patrols and patrols by U.S. ships in the Arctic.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, vowing to strengthen ties between the two countries (Reuters)
Critics, however, say Trump’s bold measures weaken the long-standing alliance between Canada and the United States.
A July Pew Research Center poll found that a majority of Canadians now view Trump’s United States as the biggest threat.
Carney himself appeared to hint at a breakdown in the relationship on Friday, telling reporters that the “multilateral system” had been “eroded”.
Carney traveled to Beijing this week to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, during which he struck a bilateral trade deal and vowed to strengthen ties between the two countries.
“The world has changed a lot since my last visit,” he said. “I believe the progress we have made in our partnership provides us with a good foundation for a new world order.”
Trump seemed unfazed by growing cooperation between Canada and China, telling reporters on Friday that their new trade deal was “a good thing.”
“That’s what he should do,” Trump said. “If you can make a deal with China, you should do it.”
