US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh broadside against Canada, accusing Ottawa of opposing his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system over Greenland while simultaneously deepening economic engagement with China.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social on Friday (local time), Trump wrote, “Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada.” He added, “Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year!”
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, told CBS News that Ottawa is “investing over $80 billion over the next five years in our defence systems.” She added that discussions with Washington have focused on how the two countries’ capabilities can complement each other to ensure stronger monitoring and protection across the region.
Trump’s comments come days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited Beijing to revive economic ties with China, Canada’s second-largest trading partner after the US. The visit led to agreements to reduce tariffs on certain Canadian agricultural products and set quotas on Chinese electric vehicles entering Canada, with the possibility of increased Chinese investment as well.
As the first Canadian leader to visit China in a decade, Carney held talks with President Xi Jinping, who welcomed what he called a “turnaround” in bilateral relations. Carney suggested that uncertainty over US trade policy, including Trump’s tariff threats, had influenced Canada’s outreach to Beijing, saying relations with China had recently been more “predictable” and discussions more “realistic and respectful.”
Asked about Canada’s renewed engagement with China, Trump appeared unfazed. “It’s OK. That’s what he should be doing,” he said.
What happened in Davos
Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump reiterated that the Golden Dome missile defence system would, by its nature, also protect Canada. “We’re building a Golden Dome that’s going to, just by its very nature, be defending Canada,” he said. “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. They should be grateful.”
He went further, claiming Canada’s security depends entirely on the United States. “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he said, referring to Carney.
The Canadian prime minister responded firmly after returning from Davos. “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” he said, stressing national sovereignty. “We are masters in our home. This is our own country. It’s our future. The choice is up to us.”
At Davos, Carney had warned against powerful nations coercing smaller ones, calling on “middle powers” to work together and cautioning that a US-led global system was “evolving but also breaking apart.” Back home, he said Canada could still show that “another way is possible” amid rising authoritarianism worldwide.
Tensions escalated further after Trump announced he was withdrawing an invitation for Carney to join what he described as his “Board of Peace.”
The core points of contention
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st US state and recently shared an altered map depicting Canada, Greenland, Venezuela and Cuba as part of US territory. He has also insisted that Canada wants to be included in the Golden Dome system, which he says should be fully operational before the end of his term in 2029.
However, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, Bob Rae, has criticised the proposal, comparing it to a “protection racket.”
The Golden Dome plan envisages a US-controlled missile defence shield using space-based sensors, interceptors and advanced technologies. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described Greenland as “strategically important” to the project and said Canada has been invited to participate—provided it pays its share.
The Trump administration has estimated the cost of the system at around $175 billion. The Congressional Budget Office, however, has warned that space-based interceptors alone could cost between $161 billion and $542 billion over the next two decades.
