US President Donald Trump Criticizes Canada Over Rejection of ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defence Project
US President Donald Trump slammed Canada for rejecting his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence project over Greenland, warning that Beijing could “eat them up” within a year as the northern neighbour opts for closer ties with China over US-backed security.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “Canada is against The Golden Dome being built over Greenland, even though The Golden Dome would protect Canada. Instead, they voted in favour of doing business with China, who will ‘eat them up’ within the first year!”
Trump’s remarks come amid rising tensions between the US and Canada, following recent comments by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.
During his address at the 56th Annual Summit of the WEF on Wednesday, Trump criticised Carney, asserting that Canada should be more “grateful” to the US for the “freebies” it receives, including security protections.
“Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should also be grateful, but they’re not. I saw your Prime Minister yesterday; he wasn’t so grateful. They should be grateful to us,” Trump said, adding that his plan to build the “Golden Dome” missile defence system would also provide protection to Canada.
“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements,” he added, underscoring the US’s strategic and security role in protecting its northern neighbour.
Trump’s comments were directed at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who in his WEF speech highlighted “an era of great power rivalry, where the rules-based order is fading,” and opposed tariff coercion, indirectly referencing Washington’s efforts to secure Greenland.
On January 17, Carney announced a new trade agreement with China, which he said would open markets for Canadian businesses and workers. On X, Carney wrote, “We’ve secured a new trade agreement with China — unlocking more than $7 billion in export markets for Canadian workers and businesses.”
The Canadian Prime Minister’s Office said, “In a more divided and uncertain world, Canada is building a stronger, more independent, and more resilient economy. To that end, Canada’s new government is working with urgency and determination to diversify trade partnerships and catalyse massive new levels of investment. As the world’s second-largest economy, China presents enormous opportunities for Canada in this mission.”
Under the deal, Canada will cut its 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, CBS News reported. There will be an initial annual cap of 49,000 Chinese EVs, rising to 70,000 over five years. China will reduce its total tariff on canola seeds, a major Canadian export, from 84% to about 15%.
Carney added that China has become a more predictable partner than the US. “Our relationship has progressed in recent months with China. It is more predictable, and you see results coming from that,” he said.
Canada currently faces a 35% levy on its goods, along with the US’s blanket 50% tariff on imported metals and 25% on non-US automobiles. Meanwhile, US-China tariff tensions have eased somewhat after meetings between Trump and Xi Jinping, with some Chinese products exempted from tariffs until November 10, 2026. (Agencies)
