US President links Ottawa’s China ties to opposition to Greenland missile shield
January 24, 2026: US President Donald Trump has launched a fresh attack on Canada, accusing Ottawa of undermining North American security by opposing his proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system over Greenland. In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed the project would protect Canada as well, but alleged that instead of supporting it, Ottawa has chosen to deepen business ties with China, warning that such a move could have serious consequences.
The proposed Golden Dome envisions a US-led missile defence shield positioned over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, aimed at detecting and intercepting advanced missile threats, including hypersonic weapons. Trump has repeatedly argued that the system would enhance continental security and automatically extend protection to Canada, framing any opposition as a strategic risk amid rising global military competition.
Trump’s remarks come amid broader diplomatic friction between Washington and Ottawa, intensified by Canada’s recent trade engagements with China, which he criticised during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Canadian leader Mark Carney later rejected Trump’s claims of dependency, stressing that while ties with the US remain important, Canada would not bow to pressure from global powers and would pursue an independent path in a shifting geopolitical landscape.