Canada is weighing whether to send a small military contingent to Greenland as NATO allies step up Arctic exercises amid renewed tensions over Greenland’s sovereignty.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a media interaction | X/@MarkJCarney
Canada is weighing whether to send soldiers to Greenland for military exercises alongside NATO partners, as geopolitical tensions in the Arctic sharpen.
According to a report by CBC News, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been briefed on contingency plans prepared last week and placed before the federal government.
Advertisement
Canada already has a limited presence in Greenland. A Royal Canadian Air Force unit is participating in a pre-scheduled NORAD exercise there. The question now is whether Ottawa should expand that footprint.
Advertisement
CBC reported that the proposal involves a small group of Canadian soldiers who could be flown in by the end of the week, if required. The report added that officials are still uncertain about the direction the government will choose. The potential deployment was first reported by The Globe and Mail.
The discussions come as Denmark plans sovereignty-focused exercises in Greenland, inviting allied participation. Several European countries, including France, Norway, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland, have already sent small military contingents to the Arctic island. Denmark has also invited the United States to join the drills, aimed at ensuring regional security.
The timing is not accidental. Tensions have risen following renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Speaking at a press conference in Qatar on Saturday, Carney said Canada was “concerned” by Trump’s threat of tariffs and reaffirmed Ottawa’s position on territorial integrity. “Decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide,” the PM said.
Trump has warned that tariffs could be imposed on Denmark and other European countries, including the UK, unless Greenland is sold. He argued that the move is necessary for US national security, pointing to growing interest in the Arctic from China and Russia.
He has offered negotiations but warned of tariffs of 10 per cent from February 1, 2026, rising to 25 per cent from June 1, 2026, if no agreement is reached, saying it was “time for Denmark to give back” after years of American support.
As tensions build, the United States has announced the deployment of a North American Aerospace Defence Command aircraft to Greenland’s Pituffik Space Base. NORAD said the move supports long-planned activities and is being carried out in coordination with Denmark and Greenland.
Also Read: US to deploy NORAD aircraft at Greenland base amid tensions over Donald Trump’s acquisition push
Advertisement
