The President-elect reiterates his claims over strategic territories, asserting their importance for US security
Donald Trump, the President-elect, has once again sparked controversy by advocating for the US to acquire both Greenland and the Panama Canal, calling them essential to national security. During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump was asked if he would rule out using military or economic pressure to seize these territories. He responded, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
Both Denmark and Panama have firmly rejected any suggestions of relinquishing these territories. Trump has previously expressed his views on expanding US territory, and he also indicated his dissatisfaction with Canada, suggesting that the country should be part of the US. “They should be a state,” he remarked, pointing out the billions the US spends protecting Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau quickly dismissed the idea, stating that there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” of Canada joining the US. The shared border between the two countries, the longest in the world, was established in treaties dating back to the 1700s.
Trump’s press conference, which had originally been scheduled to announce a $20bn investment in US data centres by Dubai-based Damac Properties, veered into a broader discussion on environmental regulations, the election system, ongoing legal challenges, and criticism of President Joe Biden. Among his more unconventional statements, Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” and reiterated his opposition to wind power, claiming that wind turbines “drive the whales crazy.”
The timing of Trump’s comments coincided with a visit to Greenland by his son, Donald Trump Jr. The younger Trump arrived in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on a personal trip, stating he had no official meetings lined up. When asked about this, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasised that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” reaffirming that only the people of Greenland could determine its future.
Greenland, with a population of just 57,000, is an autonomous Danish territory but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. While its economy is supported by subsidies from Copenhagen, it holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the Arctic and its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals critical for high-tech devices. The island is also home to a significant US military facility.
Trump argued that Greenland is essential for military operations, particularly in monitoring the activities of Russian and Chinese vessels. He described the island as crucial for “protecting the free world.”
In addition to Greenland, Trump again raised the issue of the Panama Canal, a vital trade route that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. He claimed the canal, now under Panamanian control, is “being operated by China” and criticised Panama for overcharging US ships. However, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino denied these claims, stating that there is no Chinese influence in the canal, although a Hong Kong-based company, CK Hutchison Holdings, operates two ports at the canal’s entrances.
Trump also reiterated his belief that the decision to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1977 was a mistake. He called the move, orchestrated under President Jimmy Carter, a “very big mistake.”
The seriousness of Trump’s territorial ambitions, particularly regarding Canada and Greenland, remains unclear. The proposal to annex Canada is especially controversial, as the country is home to over 41 million people and is the second-largest nation by area in the world.
During the same press conference, Trump also revisited several unfounded conspiracy theories, including a bizarre suggestion that Hezbollah was involved in the 2021 US Capitol riot.
As Trump prepares for his second term, his statements on territorial expansion and foreign policy continue to stir debate both within the US and internationally.
