According to NBC News on the 18th, as the issue of Greenland remains deadlocked, US President Trump has turned his attention to Canada as the next target. Multiple senior US officials and former officials revealed that Trump is privately intensifying his focus on this target in the Western Hemisphere. In recent weeks, he has increased his criticism of Canada in private conversations with his aides, as he grows increasingly concerned that Canada, like Greenland, is also difficult to defend against attacks from American rivals.
The aforementioned US officials said one of Trump's main criticisms of Canada is its defense spending, which he has repeatedly mentioned in private discussions in recent days. They said from Trump's perspective, this means Canada cannot defend itself against threats from American rivals in the Arctic region. One official said, "Canada certainly needs to improve its military capabilities in the Arctic. The current capabilities are unacceptable given today's threats, and maintaining the status quo is not an option." Canada is increasing its defense spending, but it still has not reached the NATO target of 2% of GDP. "The world does not consider Canada a major force in defense," the US official said.
"Trump is really worried that the US continues to be at a disadvantage in the Western Hemisphere and is focusing on addressing this issue," said another US official. Trump particularly emphasized that Canada needs to increase its defense spending. However, US officials said there is currently no discussion about stationing US troops along Canada's northern border. Unlike the case of Greenland, Trump has not sought to buy Canada, nor has he claimed the possibility of using military force to seize Canada. As one US official said, protecting Canada's northern border is a key part of Trump and his senior aides' vision to "consolidate" the Western Hemisphere, aiming to align Canada's strategic interests with those of the United States. Trump said last Saturday that the US acquiring the semi-autonomous territory of Greenland in the Kingdom of Denmark would also benefit Canada.
The aforementioned US officials said that while Trump continues to complain, US officials are negotiating with Canadian officials on ways to strengthen military cooperation between the two countries in the Arctic region. Trump's push has accelerated discussions within the US on a broader Arctic strategy and could lead to an agreement with Canada this year to enhance the defense of Canada's northern border. When asked about Trump's renewed focus on Canada in closed-door meetings, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement that an executive order signed by Trump last April "emphasized the US commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and US dominance in Arctic waterways."
The UK's Independent newspaper reported on the 19th that Trump's recent focus on Canada stems from his whirlwind actions during his first year in office. During that year, he took bold unilateral actions to expand America's influence in the Western Hemisphere—usually through subtle military threats, which he called "Trumpism." Trump claimed that no external constraints—not even international law—could limit his actions on the international stage. He previously called on Canada to become the "51st state" of the US. A Pew Research Center survey found that most Canadians now see the US under Trump as their greatest threat.
NBC mentioned that regarding the issue of Greenland, Canada's public stance is that the fate of Greenland depends on the governments of Greenland and Denmark. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau said last Friday, as a NATO ally, Canada supports Denmark. According to the Globe and Mail on the 18th, the Canadian government is considering sending a small unit to Greenland to participate in military exercises led by Denmark to show support for Denmark.
Source: Global Times / Xin Bin
Original: toutiao.com/article/7597087348060422696/
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