What started out as a meaningless joke or innocent trolling has morphed into potentially dangerous foreign policy. For more than a month, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump’s seemingly innocuous ribbing of America’s northern neighbour becoming a state has now turned into something darker and more nefarious.
The mercurial convicted felon’s expansionist ambitions are now threatening alliances, global supply chains, and Western democratic ideologies. The U.S. commander-in-chief’s plans of annexing Greenland, the Panama Canal, and possibly even Canada, has put the entire world on notice. Now, nation-states along with multilateral entities, that have served as a bulwark against fascism since the Second World War, are bracing as the world’s largest proponent of democracy has gone rogue.
In a recent phone call with Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Fredericksen, the 47th president of the United States reiterated with her his quixotic desires to make Greenland part of the United States. The twice-impeached president even went so far as to threaten debilitating tariffs.
The incessant antagonism only bolsters Trump’s efforts to make the noted U.S. ally and fellow NATO compatriot succumb to his dictatorial aims. Like Denmark, Canada too is staring down a pending confrontation from the brash and bullying leader hell-bent on MAGA expansionism at the expense of partnership, economic integration, and above all, peace.
Already, 10 congressional Republican lawmakers have signed onto the “Make Greenland Great Again” Act which authorizes Trump to enter into formal negotiations to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Should Trump get his wish, no doubt Canada is next, as Trump announced stinging and debilitating tariffs as early as Feb. 1.
Taxes, that if implemented, will ignite a long, arduous and costly trade war between the 150-year-old partners. Of course, Washington’s looming fight will leave Ottawa no choice but to retaliate with equally paralyzing tolls. For what lies at the heart of this confrontation is a nation’s very sovereignty and independence.
During the lead-up to Trump’s historic inauguration, the uber-wealthy, national leaders, and multinational corporations all swiftly abandoned norms, policies, and even traditions in order to court favor with the commander-in-chief. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg eliminated DEI initiatives and fact-checking tools for Facebook and Instagram a la Elon Musk with X, to find a way into MAGA’s good graces.
Jeff Bezos single-handedly neutered The Washington Post, the paper that uncovered Watergate, in a naked show of loyalty to Trump. Heads of state are learning golf lessons, Trump’s favorite pastime, to curry goodwill with him. Also, corporate behemoths like Google, fearing Trump’s wrath, are loosening restrictions on speech and expression.
The adoration, abject cowering, and subjugation has only emboldened the American strongman. By placating his fascist bent, the quadruple-indicted former reality television show host seems to believe the world is his for the taking.
However, unlike the rest of the world, including a timid U.S.-based business community, the Canadian government is ready to respond with proposed retaliatory tariffs on an initial round of American goods, should Trump move from ad hominem bluster to levying tariffs.
“If indeed the incoming administration moves forward with these unfair and unjust tariffs, Canada will respond,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said. After weeks of ridicule, threats, and belittling, Canadian leaders are prepared to meet fire with fire.
A planned investment of more than $1 billion to combat illegal migrant crossings and increased crackdowns on illegal drug flows have done nothing to curb Trump’s appetite to forcibly engulf Canada. Weeks before assuming the presidency, during a press conference, the former real estate mogul derisively attacked Ottawa over a wide range of issues.
Trump said: “We’re spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada…Why should we have a $200-billion deficit? Add on to that many, many other things that we give Canada in terms of subsidy…They rely on our military. It’s all fine, but you know, they’ve got to pay for that. It’s very unfair.”
Always difficult to decipher, however, what is clear is the palpable disdain Trump has for Trudeau. His assertion of “economic force” is clearly the opening salvo of the returning president’s master plan for inflicting maximum damage on a nation, a partner, an ally that has stood by America’s side for more than a century.
As the number of rising powers seek to make their mark in the 21st century, America’s might and power remains unchallenged. The shining city on the hill as eloquently described by the late Republican icon, Ronald Reagan, the United States still exudes the influence to move currents that shape global outcomes. From wars to economic trends, America remains the barometer by which all nations and multilateral groups are measured.
Now, as Trump moves that might and dominance into uncharted territory, its once unshakable and lasting alliances are now unmoored. This bedrock of cooperation and bridge-building that has defined democracy for centuries is now changing, morphing and mutating into something unrecognizable.
Trump’s America is far different from the founders’ grand experiment. Where cooperation once thrived now only fear and trepidation exists. Its friends are now its enemies. A world marked by hope is now shaped by futility. And Canada, its once-great friend, its once dependable partner, bears the brunt.
Eric Ham is a bestselling author and former congressional staffer in the U.S. Congress. He served as a contributor to TheHill.com and The Washington Diplomat. He resides in Washington, DC.
