U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that Canada’s survival is indebted to the United States, criticizing Prime Minister Mark Carney for denouncing coercion by major powers. Trump, speaking in Davos, Switzerland, advocated for the U.S. to acquire Greenland for a proposed missile defense system known as the “golden dome” to shield North America. He emphasized the necessity of this defense system to safeguard Canada, highlighting the lack of gratitude from the country for such protection. Carney has been noncommittal regarding Canada’s involvement in or funding for the system proposed by Trump.
During his speech, Trump indirectly referenced Canada and criticized the lack of gratitude towards the U.S. from Prime Minister Carney. He reminded Carney about the importance of U.S. military protection for Canada. Carney, without mentioning Trump by name, discussed “American hegemony” and emphasized the need for Canada to be more self-reliant and diversify its trade relationships to reduce dependence on larger nations.
Trump also discussed the benefits of his global tariffs regime, claiming that these tariffs have attracted numerous factories and car plants back to the U.S., including those from Canada, Mexico, and Japan. Despite Trump’s focus on the impact on the Canadian auto sector, data shows a decline in auto industry jobs in the U.S. over the past year. Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized Trump’s remarks about Canada and his social media post depicting the U.S. flag over Canada and Greenland as “typical Trump” but “unacceptable.”
