After Greenland, Is Trump Using Arctic Security To Pressure Canada Next?

Last Updated:January 18, 2026, 20:46 IST

Donald Trump urges Canada to boost Arctic defense against Russia and China, linking it to his Greenland ambitions and US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.

US president Donald Trump and Canadian PM Mark Careny. (REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett/Pool)

US President Donald Trump has privately intensified his focus on Canada, repeatedly raising concerns in recent weeks about what he sees as the country’s vulnerability to US adversaries in the Arctic, according to multiple current and former US officials familiar with the discussions.

As Trump’s advisers continue to work toward his stated goal of acquiring Greenland, the president has increasingly voiced frustration over Canada’s ability to defend its northern borders from potential encroachment by Russia and China, the officials said. Trump has argued in private that Canada needs to significantly boost its defence spending, a push that has accelerated internal deliberations within the administration over a broader Arctic strategy.

One outcome under consideration is a potential agreement with Canada later this year aimed at strengthening security along its northern frontier. “Trump is really worried about the US continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this," one official said.

Despite the heightened rhetoric, US officials stressed there is no discussion of stationing American troops along Canada’s northern border. They also said Trump is not seeking to purchase Canada or threatening to seize it by military force, unlike his repeated statements about Greenland.

Arctic strategy and Greenland push

Trump’s growing concern about Canada comes as he moves to translate long-standing criticism of US neighbours into concrete actions designed to expand American influence across the Western Hemisphere. Since the start of the year, his administration has used military force to oust Venezuela’s leadership and facilitate a US takeover of the country’s oil industry, issued threats against Cuba’s government, and warned Mexico and Colombia of possible US intervention to curb drug trafficking.

At the same time, Trump has repeatedly said the US intends to acquire Greenland—either through purchase or, if necessary, military force prompting anxious diplomatic efforts by US allies to ease his concerns.

Senior administration officials say protecting Canada’s northern border is central to Trump’s vision of “solidifying" US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. On Saturday, Trump suggested that a US acquisition of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, would also benefit Canada.

“At the end of the day, this is to stop Russia and China from having a further presence in the Arctic," a senior administration official said. “Canada stands to benefit from the US having Greenland."

Canada’s official position remains that Greenland’s future is a matter for Greenland and Denmark to decide. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Friday that Ottawa stands firmly behind Denmark as a NATO ally.

Defence spending and cooperation talks

Trump’s criticism of Canada’s defence posture dates back to his first term and peaked last year, when he threatened to use “economic force" to make Canada the 51st US state, sparking a trade war and public clashes with Ottawa. While those public tensions have eased, officials say Trump has continued to raise the same concerns behind closed doors.

Privately, US and Canadian officials are now discussing ways to deepen military cooperation in the Arctic. Options under consideration include upgrading Canada’s early-warning systems, expanding joint military training and operations, increasing coordinated air and maritime patrols, and boosting US ship patrols in Arctic waters.

One key forum for these talks is a Pentagon-led Arctic working group, which has warned the White House that Canada’s exposure to Chinese and Russian activity along its northern border is among the most pressing regional security challenges.

Trump has repeatedly complained that Canada does not spend enough on defence, arguing this leaves it ill-prepared to counter threats in the Arctic. “They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities," one official said, adding that the status quo is “not acceptable given today’s threats."

Although Canada has increased defence spending, it still falls short of NATO’s target. “The world doesn’t see Canada as a major force when it comes to defence," a senior administration official said.

Trump has also expressed interest in expanding the US fleet of icebreakers to enhance Arctic patrols an idea that could feature in next year’s defence budget.

China, diplomacy and muted public tone

The renewed focus on Canada comes as Prime Minister Carney recently visited China, seeking to strengthen ties amid tensions with Washington. Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping and referred to a “new world order," drawing attention in Washington. Asked about the outreach, Trump said it was “a good thing" for Canada to pursue trade deals with China.

Despite his private complaints, Trump has largely avoided escalating his criticism of Canada in public. Officials say that is unlikely to change as long as discussions between Washington and Ottawa continue to be productive.

While Trump has not ruled out using force to secure Greenland, he told NBC’s Meet the Press last year that such a scenario was “highly unlikely" when it comes to Canada. “I don’t see it with Canada," he said.

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