Canada’s Arctic Defence Surge: How Ottawa Is Preparing for a Possible Greenland Power Play

Trump’s AI map sparks Canada’s strategic shift as Ottawa boosts Arctic military spending

A viral AI image shared by US President Donald Trump — showing the American flag over Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela — may have been fake. But Canada’s response suggests the threat it implies is being taken very seriously.

For Ottawa, the image was not merely a trolling stunt. It was a reminder of how quickly geopolitical tensions can escalate, and how vulnerable Canada is given its shared land border with the United States and a massive Arctic frontier.

From shock to strategy: Canada’s new posture toward the US

Rather than reacting with outrage, Canada has moved into a more prepared stance — signaling that it is ready for provocative demands from Washington.

Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, warned that stronger nations are increasingly using economic integration as leverage, deploying tariffs and supply chains as tools of pressure.

He did not name the US directly, but his message was clear: middle powers must cooperate or risk being “on the menu.”

Canada’s defence spending: A northern border now in focus

Canada has already spent nearly $1 billion fortifying its southern border. Now, Ottawa is turning its attention north, committing billions more to protect the Arctic.

Carney reaffirmed Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark, saying Ottawa respects their right to determine Greenland’s future. He also reiterated that Russia remains the biggest threat to Arctic security, and highlighted Canada’s work with NATO and the Nordic Baltic Eight to strengthen the alliance’s northern flank.

A new Arctic military build-up

One of Carney’s first actions as prime minister was to approve over $4 billion for an “Over-the-Horizon” radar system, designed to provide early warning coverage for Arctic threats. He also pledged a larger and sustained military presence in the region.

But Canada’s strategic planning has grown more complex with Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. The country shares not only a vast land border with the US but also one of the world’s longest maritime borders with Greenland.

NORAD activities in Greenland underline growing tensions

Canada’s military ties with the US remain strong, particularly through NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), which conducts joint defence operations and planning with both the US and Canada.

NORAD confirmed aircraft from bases in both countries would operate in Greenland this week to support “long-planned activities,” reinforcing the close defence cooperation between the US, Canada, and the Kingdom of Denmark.