PALM BEACH, Florida — In a bold display less than two weeks before his inauguration, President-elect Donald Trump ramped up some of his most daring promises and claims during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
Trump did not dismiss the possibility of employing military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, citing national security concerns. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark — a long-standing U.S. ally and a founding member of NATO — is in focus, as is the Panama Canal, which the U.S. returned to Panama in 1999.
As Trump criticized former President Jimmy Carter while his remains were being transported for funeral rites, he also intensified his rhetoric against Hamas, asserting that “All hell will break out in the Middle East” if the Israeli hostages still in Gaza are not released before he takes office.
One of the notable themes from the press conference was what some are calling Trump’s new imperialistic posture. While he initially campaigned on an “America First” agenda that prioritized domestic issues, Trump has increasingly expressed ambitions for foreign intervention, mentioning the necessity of controlling both the Panama Canal and Greenland, and hinting at broader territorial interests.
Elon Musk, a regular visitor to Mar-a-Lago, even suggested the U.S. should “liberate” Britain, prompting further discussions about U.S. involvement abroad.
When asked if he ruled out military intervention in Panama and Greenland, Trump was hesitant, stating, “I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you’ll have to do something.” He emphasized the strategic importance of the Panama Canal for the U.S.
Speculation grew about his intentions as his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., was reportedly visiting Greenland. Trump noted the potential for Greenland’s residents to support a move toward independence or joining the United States.
Moreover, Trump has mentioned the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, which initially seemed like jest at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s expense, but has taken on a more serious tone. Though Trump claimed he would not use military force against Canada, he threatened economic measures, describing the U.S. trade deficit with Canada as a subsidy to them. He questioned why the U.S. supported Canada when it could manage without Canadian products.
In his remarks, Trump also suggested imposing high tariffs on both Canada and Mexico and introduced the notion of renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Regarding his transition to power, Trump expressed frustration at President Joe Biden, alleging that Biden’s actions were hindering a smooth handover. Despite members of Trump’s team acknowledging cooperation from the Biden administration, Trump criticized Biden’s recent move to prohibit offshore drilling across approximately 625 million acres of federal waters, promising to reverse this decision upon taking office.
In addressing the hostage situation in Gaza, Trump underscored the urgency for a resolution ahead of his inauguration, warning of severe consequences if a deal is not reached. He announced his special envoy to the Middle East would engage in talks with Qatar to progress discussions on hostages, with expectations that Trump’s imminent leadership may alter negotiation dynamics.
Despite his pointed criticisms of Carter, which seemed timely given Carter’s memorial proceedings, Trump highlighted what he viewed as past mistakes regarding the Panama Canal, asserting that Carter improperly oversaw the transfer of control that reportedly favored Panama at the expense of U.S. shipping interests.
Simultaneously, Trump declared his intention to re-expand offshore drilling and planned to roll back limits on gas heaters. He claimed that the Biden administration was attempting to eliminate gas heating from homes, a move he would oppose.
As the conversation shifted to energy policies, Trump noted how gas heating is generally more affordable and efficient than electric heating, despite advancements in energy standards that aim to improve efficiency.
In summary, Trump’s statements and threats underscore his assertive approach as he prepares to take on the presidency once again, reflecting on national security, foreign policy, and energy independence as focal points of his agenda.
