A news report suggests that U.S. President Donald Trump is focusing on Canada as a target within his strategy to expand American influence, justifying this by pointing to a security gap in the Arctic. Trump’s aides have offered several reasons, including the need to strengthen military presence in Canadian waters to block Russia and China, linking Canada with Greenland to enhance regional security, and stressing that sovereignty depends on the ability to defend territory.
According to a report published Monday by the American news site The Daily Beast, Trump has shifted his attention toward Canada as a new target in his strategy to expand U.S. influence and secure the Western Hemisphere.
The report noted that “this interest stems from Trump’s deep concern about what he describes as weak Canadian defenses in the Arctic, which could open the door to infiltration by U.S. rivals, especially Russia and China.”
The site quoted Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, as saying, “The law does not grant countries the right to retain territory if they are unable to defend it.” Miller also disparaged the Danish government and its military, which he described as “small.”
The report added that these developments came as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, in a move signaling efforts to deepen relations between the two countries. Carney became the first Canadian leader to visit China since 2017.
The report outlined the main points Trump’s aides present as logical motives for targeting Canada:
Arctic gap—Trump views Canada’s northern border as an “unacceptable” security gap in the face of modern threats.
Military and logistical moves—Proposals within Trump’s administration include increasing U.S. naval patrols and purchasing additional icebreakers to operate in or around Canadian waters. A U.S. official told NBC, “Ultimately, the goal is to prevent Russia and China from strengthening their presence in the Arctic.”
Linking Canada and Greenland—Trump’s aides argue that acquiring Greenland would enhance security across the region, including Canada.
Logic of ‘ability to defend’—The White House has adopted a controversial stance that countries unable to defend or improve their territories do not have full sovereignty over them. This reasoning was used to justify pressure on Denmark regarding Greenland and now on Canada.