'Canada Could Be the Next Ukraine': Bannon's Threat Rhetoric Sparks Alarm and Mockery

Steve Bannon, the former Trump strategist who remains close to the president, has warned that Canada "could be the next Ukraine" and called Canadians "hostile to the United States," prompting alarm in Ottawa and mockery online.

In a recent broadcast on his War Room podcast, Bannon declared that "Canada is in the vital national security interest of the United States" and that "hemispheric defense for the United States starts in Canada." He cited immigration statistics, claiming that "25 percent of Canada's population is foreign born" and that "these people are hostile to the United States of America."

The remarks have sparked fierce debate across social media. One Canadian observer who shared the clip wrote that they live in Canada and "think he's right," suggesting the country could become a proxy battleground. But the comparison drew swift criticism from others who questioned what it even means for Canada to be "the next Ukraine."

The Military Reality

The online discourse has exposed a stark divide between threat rhetoric and military reality. According to Global Firepower, the United States ranks first globally with a power index of 0.0744, while Canada sits at 28th with 0.5179. The US military has 1.3 million active personnel; Canada has 68,000.

The disparity has prompted mockery from American commentators. One account with over three million followers dismissed the idea that Canada could defend itself, calling statements suggesting otherwise "not remotely close" to reality.

Canadian military planners are reportedly taking the threat more seriously than the online discourse suggests. According to The Globe and Mail, the Canadian Armed Forces have modeled a hypothetical US invasion from the south. Senior government officials said planners expect American forces could overcome Canadian strategic positions "within a week and possibly as quickly as two days."

The modeled response involves asymmetric warfare tactics rather than conventional defense. One official indicated Canada would aim "to impose mass casualties on US occupying forces" through ambushes, sabotage, and drone warfare.

Disinformation Concerns

Security analysts have flagged Bannon's rhetoric as potentially destabilizing. According to DisinfoWatch, labeling Canada as "hostile" conflicts with the reality that the two countries are formal defense allies sharing NORAD, the bi-national aerospace defense command, since 1958.

The analysis notes that framing an ally as adversarial "corrodes trust and can be exploited by adversaries to fracture NATO/NORAD cohesion and Arctic cooperation." Bannon's rhetoric is classified as fearmongering that uses emotionally charged claims to reshape perceptions of established partnerships.

Bannon also expressed sympathy for Alberta's secessionist movement during the broadcast, amplifying divisive internal Canadian politics while characterizing the nation as unified against American interests.

Canadian Public Opinion Hardens

Polling data suggests Canadians have taken notice of American hostility. According to Pew Research Center, Canadian opinions of the United States and its president are at or near historic lows. Only 22 percent of Canadians express confidence in Trump to do the right thing regarding world affairs, compared to 52 percent for Biden last year.

A striking 76 percent of Canadians describe Trump as dangerous. While 55 percent still name the US as their country's top ally, 59 percent also name it as their top threat.

According to Abacus Data, one in four Canadians considered traveling to the United States in the past year and chose not to because of their feelings about Trump. One third say they would think less of a friend or family member for vacationing there now.

The shift extends to trade sentiment. Pew reports that 34 percent of Canadians now have a favorable view of China, up from 21 percent in 2024, while favorable views of America have dropped from 54 percent to 34 percent.

Europe Offers Solidarity

Canada is not alone in facing American pressure. Eight NATO allies now face tariff threats over their response to Washington's territorial demands on Greenland. The European Union has prepared its Anti-Coercion Instrument as a potential response.

Canada has already joined the EU's SAFE defense initiative as its first non-European member. Japan, Australia, South Korea, and New Zealand have since applied, signaling that America's allies are hedging their bets on Washington.

The contrast with European solidarity is instructive. When Trump threatens Denmark, Europe responds with troop deployments to Greenland. When Washington pressures Canada, the EU offers partnership. Democracies facing American hostility are finding each other.

The Ukraine Comparison Falls Apart

Bannon's comparison of Canada to Ukraine requires examination. Ukraine faces invasion by a hostile neighbor seeking to erase its identity and sovereignty. The threat is existential, backed by hundreds of thousands of troops and nuclear weapons.

Canada shares the world's longest peaceful border with the United States. The two countries are deeply integrated economically, sharing defence infrastructure and intelligence. Calling Canada "the next Ukraine" either misunderstands Ukraine's situation or reveals an intent to treat allies as targets.

The replies to the viral clip suggest many observers recognize the absurdity. One Canadian asked bluntly what the statement even means. Another noted that most immigrant groups in Canada are "pretty conservative" and questioned the premise that foreign-born Canadians are anti-American.

Yet the rhetoric has consequences. It shapes political discourse, influences policy debates, and provides cover for those who would treat allies as adversaries. The fact that senior Trump advisors speak of democratic partners in such terms warrants attention.

For Europeans watching from across the Atlantic, the lesson is clear. If the United States can frame Canada as hostile, no ally is safe from similar treatment. The case for EU strategic autonomy and solidarity with democracies facing American pressure grows stronger by the day.