Trump's Venezuela and Greenland threats make Canada fear it's next

Canadian commentators and security experts say the U.S. capture of Venezuela's president and renewed talk about Greenland have sharpened concerns in Canada about possible pressure from Washington; Ottawa is increasing defence spending and pursuing broader trade ties, but many measures will take years.

Recent U.S. actions and remarks have raised concern in Canada. The reported capture of Venezuela's president and renewed comments by the U.S. president about Greenland have prompted fresh attention to earlier statements about annexing territory. Canadian academics, commentators and officials are debating the implications for sovereignty and security. Ottawa has begun responding with higher defence budgets and diplomatic outreach, though most steps will take time. Key developments: - Reported U.S. actions involving Venezuela and public discussion of Greenland have intensified Canadian unease about potential coercion. - A widely shared column and several academics warned that the rhetoric could presage pressure and urged strengthening of defences and civil resilience. - The Canadian government is boosting defence spending, raising military pay, planning new procurement and pursuing broader export and diplomatic ties; these measures are multi-year efforts. - Analysts generally view a conventional U.S. invasion as unlikely but say economic leverage, trade pressure (including a scheduled USMCA review) and risks of political interference are realistic concerns. Summary: These developments have prompted debate in Canada about sovereignty, defence capacity and the country’s economic reliance on the United States. Ottawa is expanding defence budgets and seeking to diversify trade and diplomatic partners, and a scheduled review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is expected to be a possible venue for U.S. leverage. Undetermined at this time.