Trump has grown increasingly critical of Canada in conversations with aides, arguing that Ottawa is not spending enough on defense and may be too vulnerable to U.S. adversaries in the far north, the officials said. The remarks come amid Trump’s broader focus on asserting American influence in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in the Arctic.
“Trump is really worried about the U.S. continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this,” one official told NBC News.
Although Trump has pushed for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, officials stressed that there is no similar interest in Canada, and no discussions of deploying U.S. troops to Canada’s northern border. However, his concerns have reportedly accelerated internal discussions about a possible U.S.-Canada agreement this year to bolster Arctic security.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly pointed to an executive order signed by Trump last April as evidence of the administration’s Arctic priorities, saying it underscored America’s commitment to “freedom of navigation and dominance in Arctic waterways.”
Trump’s strained relationship with Canada has been marked by trade disputes and past claims that he could use “economic force” to make it the 51st U.S. state. While public tensions have recently eased, his renewed private focus suggests Arctic security remains a key issue for the White House.
(jh)
Source: PAP, NBC