Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack against Canada for its decision to reject the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system over Greenland. In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Ottawa of making a "big mistake" by opposing the critical defense initiative and instead favoring closer economic ties with China, which he warned would "eat them up."
Trump's Truth Social Outburst Against Canada
"Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favor of doing business with China, who will 'eat them up' within the first year!" Trump posted on Friday. The former president claimed that Canada had turned away from a vital defense partnership with the United States while simultaneously expanding its economic links with China, thereby undermining North American security interests.
Escalating Tensions Following WEF Remarks
Trump's outburst comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between the United States and its northern neighbor, Canada. The controversy intensified following recent remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Speaking at the 56th Annual WEF Summit earlier this week, Carney warned against growing economic and strategic pressure from major global powers, though he did not specifically name Trump in his address.
On Wednesday, Trump directly criticized Carney during his own appearance at the summit, stating that Canada should be more "grateful" to the United States for what he described as "freebies." The former president asserted, "Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements." This comment referenced Carney's speech in which the Canadian leader suggested that the US-led global governance system is experiencing "a rupture" characterized by great power competition and a fading rules-based international order.
Carney's Response to Trump's Comments
In response to Trump's assertion that "Canada lives because of the United States," Carney offered a firm rebuttal on Thursday. "Canada doesn't live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian," the Prime Minister stated emphatically. Since entering Canadian politics in 2025, Carney has consistently cautioned that the world would not return to a pre-Trump normalcy, a message he reaffirmed in his Tuesday address that analyzed the former president's impact on global affairs without directly naming him.
The Golden Dome Defense Proposal Controversy
The proposed Golden Dome missile defense system over Greenland represents a significant point of contention in US-Canada relations. While Trump argues that the system would provide essential protection for Canada against potential threats, the Canadian government has rejected the plan, citing various strategic and diplomatic considerations. This rejection has become a focal point in the broader debate about North American security architecture and economic partnerships with China.
The diplomatic row highlights deepening divisions between the two traditional allies over defense priorities and economic relationships. Trump's characterization of Canada's decision as favoring China over its own security interests adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions about North American defense cooperation and global power dynamics in the post-Trump era.
