President-elect Donald Trump sparked global controversy on Tuesday by stating that he would not rule out the use of military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, deeming both territories vital to US national security.
Trump’s vision for a “golden age of America”
Addressing reporters, Trump underscored the strategic importance of both regions, saying, “The Panama Canal is vital to our country,” and adding, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
Asked whether he would commit to peaceful means, Trump declined to rule out military options, stating, “It might be that you’ll have to do something.”
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and home to a major U.S. military base, has long been a focus of Arctic geopolitics.
Trump cast doubts on Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, suggesting its acquisition would bolster US security.
Meanwhile, the Panama Canal, under Panamanian control since 1999, remains a critical waterway for global commerce.
Trump characterised his vision as part of a broader effort to usher in a “golden age of America.”
His comments, however, have sparked unease among allies and raised questions about the potential implications for U.S. foreign policy under his administration.
US allies not impressed by Trump’s ideas
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed her country’s strong alliance with the United States but dismissed any notion of U.S. annexation.
“The United States is Denmark’s most important and closest ally, but any interest in Greenland must be respectful of the Greenlandic people,” Frederiksen said in an interview.
She stressed that Denmark and the US must maintain cooperation within NATO.
Greenland’s government issued a statement clarifying that Donald Trump Jr, who recently landed in Nuuk, was visiting as a private individual, and there would be no official meetings.
Donald Trump’s fascination with Greenland isn’t a new development.
During his first term as president (2017–2021), Trump notably expressed interest in acquiring the territory, highlighting its rich natural resources and strategic geopolitical importance.
In 2019, he proposed the idea of purchasing Greenland, sparking international headlines. However, the suggestion was met with strong resistance from Danish leaders.
Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha reiterated his government’s position, emphasising that the canal’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.
“The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest,” he stated.
Trump’s bid for Canada
Trump also floated the idea of Canada joining the US as its 51st state. While he ruled out military action against Canada, he suggested leveraging “economic force” to address trade imbalances, describing the US trade deficit with its northern neighbor as a subsidy.
Canadian leaders, however, pushed back firmly.
“President-elect Trump’s comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said.
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was more pointed, writing, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
In addition, Trump proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” calling it a “beautiful” name.
He also advocated for NATO members to increase their defense spending targets to 5% of GDP, up from the current goal of 2%.
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