PALM BEACH, Fla. — In a recent statement, President-elect Donald Trump indicated that he might consider military action to assert control over both the Panama Canal and Greenland, deeming their governance crucial for U.S. national security. Speaking to the media just a fortnight before his inauguration on January 20, Trump kept the option of military intervention open while a group of aides—including Donald Trump Jr.—was visiting Greenland. This stance represents a significant deviation from the longstanding U.S. approach, which has favored self-determination over expansionism.
“I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump remarked when questioned about his potential use of military force. He emphasized the importance of the Panama Canal for the country, asserting, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.” Greenland, which hosts a significant U.S. military installation, is an autonomous region managed by Denmark—a close ally of the United States and a founding member of NATO. Trump also expressed skepticism regarding Denmark’s claim over Greenland.
Currently, the Panama Canal is under the sole control of Panama, having been ceded back to the nation in 1999 after the U.S. ended a joint control agreement that began in 1904. Responding to Trump’s remarks during an interview with TV2, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed that the United States is Denmark’s “most important and closest ally.” She expressed doubt that the U.S. would use military or economic power to take central control over Greenland. Frederiksen welcomed increased American interest in the Arctic but emphasized the necessity of respecting the wishes of the Greenlandic people. She stated, “It must be done in a way that allows Denmark and the United States to still cooperate in, among other things, NATO.”
Earlier, Trump shared a video of his private jet arriving in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, flaunting the stunning snow-capped scenery. He expressed excitement, stating, “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland… The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” However, Greenland’s government clarified that Trump Jr.’s visit was made in a personal capacity, and therefore, no official meetings with Greenlandic officials would occur.
In Panama, Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha asserted that the canal’s sovereignty remains an unassailable part of the nation’s history, reiterating the government’s prior assertion that control will not be up for negotiation. “The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest,” he remarked. Trump, known for his unconventional views, has also suggested the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state of America, though he maintained that there would be no military invasion. Instead, he proposed using “economic force,” criticizing the trade deficit the U.S. holds with Canada, which is rich in natural resources.
Canadian officials quickly responded to Trump’s comments. Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly criticized Trump for misunderstanding Canada’s strengths, asserting that Canada’s economy and people are robust, emphasizing that the nation would stand firm against any perceived threats. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was more direct, stating that “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
Promising a “Golden Age of America,” Trump also suggested a rebranding of the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” claiming it has a “beautiful ring to it.” He advocated for NATO members to increase defense spending significantly, proposing that they commit at least 5% of their GDPs, up from the current target of 2%. Notably, NATO had announced that 23 of its 32 member nations were on course to meet the expenditure goal due to heightened concerns about Russian aggression amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
During the presser, Trump expressed discontent with the outgoing administration, claiming President Joe Biden was interfering with his transition by enforcing a ban on offshore energy drilling in most federal waters, a move made under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. This restriction impacts an extensive area, amounting to approximately 625 million acres, and would require congressional action to dismantle. Trump vowed to reverse Biden’s decision on his first day in office and hinted at taking legal measures if necessary, expressing frustration over the lack of a seamless transition.
Trump contrasted the cooperation during his predecessor’s transition with the current situation, stating his expectation for a smoother transition and expressing discontent that it has not materialized. Biden and his team extended courtesies to Trump’s team, which contrasts with the treatment Biden received after Trump’s election in 2020. In additional commentary, Trump criticized special counsel Jack Smith who oversees investigations related to the January 6th Capitol insurrection allegations and classified documents, hinting that a report detailing Smith’s findings will be forthcoming following Trump’s electoral win.
