Ottawa, Jan 20: Canada is considering a military deployment to Greenland as Arctic tensions rise following US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire the semi autonomous Danish territory. The move would see Canadian soldiers participate in NATO led exercises alongside allied forces, officials said.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been briefed on contingency plans prepared last week, with discussions ongoing over whether to expand Canada’s existing limited presence in Greenland, where the Royal Canadian Air Force is already participating in pre-scheduled NORAD exercises. According to reports, a small contingent could be deployed by the end of the week if required, though no decision has yet been finalized.
The deliberations come amid Denmark’s sovereignty-focused military drills in Greenland, which have drawn participation from several European countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland. The United States has also been invited to join the exercises, aimed at reinforcing regional security in the Arctic.
Canada’s concerns are heightened by Trump’s repeated remarks on acquiring Greenland, accompanied by threats of 10–25% tariffs on Denmark and select European nations if negotiations fail. Prime Minister Carney reaffirmed Canada’s position, emphasizing that decisions on Greenland’s future lie solely with Greenland and Denmark.
In parallel, the United States has announced the deployment of a NORAD aircraft to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base, supporting long-planned operations coordinated with Denmark and Greenland. The buildup underscores the strategic importance of the Arctic amid growing Chinese and Russian interest.
Canada’s potential troop deployment signals Ottawa’s intent to protect regional stability while navigating escalating tensions in the Arctic triggered by Trump’s territorial ambitions.