A recent report by the American news website The Daily Beast revealed a striking shift in US President Donald Trump's thinking: he is turning his attention to Canada as a new target in his vision to expand American influence and strengthen security control across a wider area of the Western Hemisphere.
The report, authored by journalist Laura Esposito, explained that this unprecedented interest in Canada stems from deep concern within Trump's inner circle regarding what he describes as the fragility of Canadian defense capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region, an area of increasing strategic importance amidst escalating international competition. Trump and his aides believe this "weakness" could open the door for US adversaries, primarily Russia and China, to bolster their military and economic presence in one of the world's most sensitive regions.
In this context, The Daily Beast quoted Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, as saying in a statement last Saturday that "the law does not give countries the right to retain their territory if they are unable to defend it." This statement sparked widespread controversy due to its explicit questioning of the principle of national sovereignty. Miller made no secret of his disdain for the Danish government and its military capabilities, which he described as “small,” a direct reference to the previous controversy surrounding Greenland.
These remarks came at a politically sensitive time, coinciding with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, a move seen as an indication of Ottawa’s desire to deepen its ties with China. Carney is the first Canadian leader to visit Beijing since 2017, giving the visit a particular political dimension amid escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing.
The report highlighted a set of justifications offered by Trump's aides for this unprecedented move, deeming them "logical" reasons for the potential acquisition of Canada:
First: The Arctic Vulnerability
Trump views Canada's vast northern border as a serious and unacceptable security vulnerability in an era of transcontinental threats, especially given the increasing Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.
Second: Military and Logistical Mobilization
Proposals within the Trump administration suggest the need to intensify US naval patrols, along with the purchase of additional icebreakers to operate in or around Canadian waters. The website quoted a US official speaking to NBC News as saying, "The ultimate goal of these steps is to prevent Russia and China from strengthening their presence in the Arctic."
Third: Linking Canada and Greenland
Trump's aides believe that acquiring Greenland would be a cornerstone for enhancing the security of the entire region, including Canada, within a comprehensive vision for controlling strategic Arctic waterways.
Fourth: The Logic of ‘Defense Capability’
The White House has adopted a controversial rhetoric arguing that countries unable to defend or develop their territories forfeit part of their right to full sovereignty. This logic, previously used to pressure Denmark over Greenland, is now being re-employed in the discourse surrounding Canada.
The report noted that Canada, with its 3.85 million square miles and a population of approximately 40 million, is the largest geographical target on Trump’s growing list of what he terms “potential land acquisitions,” giving these proposals an unprecedented dimension in modern American politics.
The Daily Beast concluded its report by stating that it contacted the White House and representatives of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for official comment on these matters, but has received no response so far. This leaves the door open to further questions about the true intentions of the United States and the limits of this escalating rhetoric.
