Tensions rise over ‘Golden Dome’, Trump warns Canada over growing closeness with China

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump is pushing hard to expand American influence over Greenland, creating fresh tensions not only with European nations but also with close ally Canada. The dispute centers on the proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system in Greenland, which has become a major point of conflict between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The Trump administration wants to deploy the Golden Dome missile defence system in Greenland, but the plan has faced opposition from Canada and several European countries. Amid this, Trump has issued a sharp warning to Canada, saying that if Ottawa strengthens its economic ties with China instead of the United States, Beijing could “swallow” Canada within a year.

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canada announced a major new trade agreement with China and also raised objections to Trump’s missile defence plan. On January 17, Prime Minister Mark Carney officially confirmed the new trade deal with Beijing.

New trade deal with China

Carney said the agreement would bring major benefits to Canadian workers and businesses. Posting on social media platform X, he stated that the new deal with China would open export markets worth over $7 billion for Canada. Canada’s growing closeness with China has angered Trump, who claimed that the Golden Dome system would protect not only the US but also Canada.

Reacting on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Canada is opposing the Golden Dome in Greenland even though it would also ensure Canada’s security, while giving trade priority to China, which he claimed could dominate Canada within a year. Earlier, while addressing the 56th Annual World Economic Forum, Trump criticised Prime Minister Carney, saying Canada should be more grateful for the “free security benefits” it receives from the US and repeated that the Golden Dome missile defence system would also safeguard Canada.