China will ‘devour’ Canada within a year: Trump

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger at Canada for rejecting the proposed ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence project in Greenland. He warned that Beijing could ‘devour’ Canada within a year if it chooses closer ties with China over the US security structure.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday (January 23), Trump wrote that Canada opposed the construction of ‘The Golden Dome’ in Greenland, even though the defence system would have ensured the country's security as well. Instead, they have taken a stand in favour of strengthening trade relations with China – a country that he said could ‘devour Canada within the first year’.

Trump’s comments came amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and the US. Tensions between the two countries have increased after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Speaking at the WEF, Trump said that the United States has long been providing Canada with "free benefits", especially security protection. However, Canada is not showing gratitude for that contribution. He claimed that if his proposed "Golden Dome" project were implemented, Canada would also receive its direct protection.

Trump also said that without US strategic assistance, Canada's very existence could be at risk. Reminding him of the US role in Canada's security, he told Prime Minister Carney to keep that in mind when giving future speeches.

On the other hand, in his speech at the WEF, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the weakness of the rules-based international system in the "new era of great power competition". At the same time, he criticised the use of tariffs as a tool of political pressure, which is believed to be an indirect reference to Washington's position on Greenland.

Earlier, on January 17, Carney announced a new trade agreement between Canada and China. He said the agreement would open up more than $7 billion in export markets for Canadian businesses and workers. The agreement includes a reduction in tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and a reduction in Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products.

Carney claimed that China is currently a more predictable trading partner for Canada than the United States. Meanwhile, Canada is facing increased tariff pressure on trade with the United States, which has further complicated the relationship between the two countries.