Like a nasty gossip, it’s basically never good news when the U.S. president starts bringing you up in conversations. Unfortunately, Canada is once again a topic du jour for Donald Trump.
What happened: Donald Trump has reportedly been “focused” on Canada in recent discussions with advisers, specifically on what he says is the country’s vulnerability in the Arctic to Russia and China.
U.S. officials told NBC that lately, Trump has been complaining more about perceived Canadian military weakness in the Arctic, and could push for more joint operations in the north, a buildout of military infrastructure, and increased American naval patrols.
So far, the officials said, discussions have not included deploying U.S. troops on Canadian soil — so that’s nice to hear.
Why it matters: After deposing Venezuela’s president earlier this month, Trump’s gaze has swung northward to the Arctic, which means there’s a good chance tensions between Canada and the U.S. are about to be inflamed.
The U.S. slapped eight European countries with 10% tariffs over the weekend “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland,” and there’s a risk they will be expanded to Canada as well after Prime Minister Carney joined the chorus of opposition to Trump’s campaign and is now considering plans to send Canadian soldiers to Greenland.
Meanwhile, European leaders are drawing up plans to retaliate against the U.S. with €93bn worth of tariffs and restrictions on American companies operating in the EU if Trump continues escalating.
Zoom out: The Greenland issue has put the future of NATO at stake, as well. If Trump makes good on threats to take the island “by force,” it’s difficult to see how the alliance — which was chaired by a Dane not so long ago — survives.—TS