Ottawa 9rajeev Sharma): Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is considering deploying a small contingent of Canadian Armed Forces personnel to Greenland to participate in NATO military exercises, a move that could further strain relations with the United States amid escalating tariff threats by President Donald Trump.
According to a person familiar with the matter, the Canadian government has drafted plans for a limited deployment alongside forces from the United Kingdom, France, Denmark and other allied nations. The source confirmed an earlier report by CBC News, while noting that no final decision has yet been taken by the Prime Minister.
The development comes after President Trump announced a 10 per cent tariff, set to rise to 25 per cent in June, on eight European nations that signalled participation in NATO exercises in Greenland. The tariff threat has triggered strong reactions across Europe, with European Union leaders preparing for an emergency summit to discuss possible countermeasures, including retaliatory tariffs.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who spoke to Trump on Sunday, described the tariff move as “wrong” and urged restraint.
Earlier on Sunday, Carney said that the future of Greenland must be decided by Denmark and Greenland themselves, reiterating Canada’s commitment to sovereignty and international law. Speaking at a press conference in Qatar, following an official visit to China, Carney described the situation as serious.
“We’re concerned about this escalation, to be absolutely clear,” he said, adding that the security of Greenland falls within NATO’s responsibilities. Carney said he has already held discussions with European leaders and NATO partners on the issue.
“We always will support sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, wherever their geographic location is,” the Prime Minister said. Asked what message he would convey to Trump, Carney replied, “I’m going to say everything I just said.”
Carney is scheduled to travel next to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Trump is also expected to be present, though it remains unclear whether the two leaders will meet.
Canada’s economy remains highly vulnerable to US trade measures, with nearly 70 per cent of Canadian goods exports destined for the United States. Trump had imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian products nearly a year ago, later increasing it to 35 per cent in August, although several goods remain exempt under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
