Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed Canada’s apprehensions regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to levy escalating tariffs on various European countries unless they agree to his terms of acquiring and governing Greenland. Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Qatar, Carney emphasized Canada’s commitment to upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, regardless of their geographical location. He stressed that the decision about the future of Greenland should rest with Greenland and Denmark.
Trump, through a social media post, outlined a plan to impose a 10% tariff on countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, with the tariff increasing to 25% by June 1 if the U.S. does not secure a deal to purchase the semi-autonomous island. The European countries mentioned in Trump’s announcement stood in solidarity with Denmark, cautioning that a U.S. military takeover of a territory within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could jeopardize the alliance led by Washington.
In a joint statement, the eight European nations affirmed their support for the people of Greenland and emphasized their readiness to engage in discussions based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. They criticized the tariff threats for undermining transatlantic relations and potentially triggering a harmful escalation.
Regarding NATO discussions, Gen. Jennie Carignan, Canada’s chief of the defence staff, acknowledged that Trump’s interest in controlling Greenland has sparked conversations within the alliance. Despite the challenges, Carignan expressed optimism in NATO’s resilience and stressed the importance of maintaining open communication channels and collaborative engagement among allies.
Denmark recently announced plans to reinforce its military presence in Greenland in coordination with NATO allies. When asked about Canada’s potential contribution of forces on the ground, Carignan affirmed Canada’s close collaboration with Denmark on Arctic security within the NATO framework.
In another development, Carney was asked by Trump to join the “Board of Peace” overseeing the temporary governance of the Gaza Strip. While initial reports suggested Carney’s acceptance of the invitation, a draft charter circulated by the U.S. administration outlined significant financial commitments for board members, with Canada clarifying that it has not been asked to pay for a seat.
During the press conference, Carney highlighted Qatar’s strategic investments in Canada’s major infrastructure projects, aiming to expedite project completion, boost the energy sector, and generate employment opportunities for Canadians. He emphasized the importance of enhancing cultural ties between Canada and Qatar, including facilitating increased direct flights to bolster tourism and business activities between the two nations. Additionally, Carney mentioned ongoing efforts to finalize an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Qatar by the summer and deepen defense partnerships by deploying a defense attaché to Doha.
Carney is set to conclude his nine-day international tour by participating in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
