US President Donald Trump faced ridicule for his impulsive proposal to buy Greenland during his first administration. The Danish government flatly rejected Trump’s offer. The so-called deal-maker then canceled a state visit in response while most of the world laughed at the encounter. Trump’s second term has included similar expansionist themes, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America and expressing interest in controlling remote regions from Gaza to Greenland. Naturally, the world is laughing once more. However, Canada should not be laughing — they are in the middle of something far more serious. While Trump’s threats to annex Canada seem remote, the emphasis on Greenland indicates the United States is no longer the stable ally Canada has long enjoyed. That emphasis could make threats against Canada much more serious. These threats are already worrying Canadians which make up a large percentage of Cornell’s international student population.

Canadians have long assumed that, despite their occasional disagreements with their American allies, the US was a stable partner that valued its alliances, respected democracy abroad, and sought stability across the world. Under Trump, that assumption is less clear. Trump’s first presidency was highly erratic and exposed significant fragilities in the Canadian-American relationship. He launched trade wars against allies, including 25% tariffs on Canadian aluminum, steel, and timber under the facile auspices of national security. His stances have shifted the GOP away from its free trade and internationalist origins towards economic nationalism and forceful foreign policy. Beyond Trump, the American political landscape has transformed significantly, and Canada must realize that America is no longer the steady force it once was in global affairs.

Trump’s Greenland affair represents something critical: he has no problem attempting to acquire foreign land, even from our closest allies. After Denmark’s flat rejection, he proposed punishing the country economically. Since his second term began, he has ramped up calls to acquire Greenland and has even sent his son on a vanity trip to the self-governing island. Therefore, there’s no reason to suggest that Canada’s fade would be any different. Trump has shown his willingness to punish Canada with tariffs, and a new round is set to take effect in less than a month. In 2018, his administration justified tariffs on Canadian metals by bizarrely claiming Canada posed a national security threat. He has recently used the same claims to justify his attempted acquisition of Greenland. Thus, the parallels between Trump’s treatment of the two nations are growing concerningly similar. If Trump levies full economic pressure against either nation, both of which are deeply intertwined with the US economy, the impacts could be devastating including large job losses and decreases in exports.

Economic threats are only a piece of the puzzle. Trump has frequently expressed admiration for authoritarian leaders, such as his praise for  Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has justified his territorial war against Ukraine through historical claims. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s negotiation with the Russians illustrates American openness to forceful territorial expansion Therefore, Trump clearly believes international relations is a zero-sum game where the US should expand without typical, negotiation-based diplomacy. He’s indicated as much, suggesting he’s willing to use force to acquire land. While these claims may seem extreme, Trump’s initial proposal to purchase Greenland was twice ridiculed until the world realized his seriousness. It’s clear Trump is erratic, and Canada has no reason to believe Trump’s threats against them aren’t serious.

These developments emerge during a period of significant political uncertainty in Canada. Justin Trudeau’s exit ahead of the 2025 Canadian federal elections removes one of Trump’s most vocal international critics. If the Trump-esque Pierre Poilievre becomes prime minister, Canada may be less likely to challenge Washington, particularly if faced with economic pressure.

Canada must recognize the US is no longer a predictable ally and reducing reliance on American markets could be fundamental to their survival. This is paramount in areas where the Trump administration has already weaponized tariffs against the Canadian economy. Trudeau has indicated that he’s taking the risks seriously, and has negotiated a pause on the tariffs, which is a welcome first step. Stronger Arctic alliances with European nations, particularly Denmark, could provide some protection from expansionist ambitions. Some strategic defiance is also possible. Canadian Green Party leader Elizabeth May jokingly suggested Canada could acquire several US states. While joking, her underlying message contains some value: if America believes that territorial acquisition is on the table, why should Canada not play the game? While they may not be positioned to make serious territorial claims, they can leverage their economic advantages like Canadian energy, which Americans are dependent on. But above all, the Canadians must realize that the US is not the reliable partner they once had. Understanding this may be the difference between a sovereign Canada and the 51st American State.