Canada considering Greenland troop deployment amid Trump tariff threat: Report
Prime Minister Mark Carney mulls participation in Danish-led drills amid stepped-up US push to control Arctic island
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney participates in a featured conversation on Budget 2025 with the Canadian Club Toronto on November 7, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.Photo:Mert Alper Dervis/AA
HAMILTON, Canada
Canada is reviewing a possible deployment of its troops to Greenland as tensions rise over US President Donald Trump's stepped-up campaign to bring the Arctic territory under American control, a report said Monday.
According to a public broadcaster CBC News, two senior government officials said emergency planning options were presented to Ottawa last week, including the prospect of sending a limited number of soldiers to join military exercises organized by Denmark.
Noting that a Royal Canadian Air Force unit is already involved in a previously scheduled North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operation in Greenland, the report said Carney is considering expanding Canada's presence by taking part in sovereignty-focused drills aimed at safeguarding key infrastructure.
The officials cautioned that the government remains divided, citing diplomatic risks and a possible backlash from Trump, who in the past has been quick to respond to perceived slights from Canada. One option would be to consider a small Canadian contingent deployed by the end of the week if approval is granted.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has attracted Trump’s interest due to its strategic location and vast mineral resources, as well as concerns about Russian and Chinese activity.
Trump said Saturday that Washington will impose 10% tariffs on goods from eight European nations – Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland – starting Feb. 1, rising to 25% in June, for their opposition to a US takeover of Greenland.
Following the announcement, the eight European countries issued a joint statement on Sunday denouncing the US threat and reaffirming their commitment to Arctic security.
Carney said Sunday that the future of Greenland belongs exclusively to Copenhagen and Greenland to decide, expressing concern over escalating US-European tensions regarding the Arctic territory.
"As we have consistently stated, the future of Greenland is for Greenland and Denmark alone to determine," Carney wrote on US social media company X, adding that Ottawa supports sovereignty and territorial integrity principles universally.
Anadolu requested comment from the Prime Minister's office on the report but had not received a response by the time of publication.
