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President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday by suggested the potential use of military force to assert U.S. control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, while proposing “economic force” to acquire Canada.
During a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump was asked if he could assure the public that coercive measures would not be used. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: we need them for economic security,” Trump responded, while adding that any action regarding Canada would be economic rather than military.
Discussing Canada, Trump floated the idea of annexation, stating, “That would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and it would also be much better for national security.” He also claimed that the U.S. subsidizes Canada with military support, leading to what he called trade imbalances.
Greenland and the Panama Canal
Trump renewed his interest in Greenland, a Danish territory, citing its strategic importance. “We need it for national security,” he told reporters. Trump suggested Denmark lacked a legitimate claim to the Arctic island and threatened tariffs if Denmark opposed U.S. efforts to acquire Greenland.
In a social media video, Trump called into a lunch event in Greenland attended by his son, Donald Trump Jr., who is reportedly filming a documentary on the island.
Turning to the Panama Canal, Trump claimed the U.S. is “overcharged” for passage and alleged violations of existing treaties. He accused Panama of requesting $3 billion from the U.S. for canal repairs while allowing Chinese influence to grow in the region.
“We gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China,” Trump said, describing U.S. intervention as “vital” for national security. The Panamanian government has denied Trump’s claims, with President José Raúl Mulino stating, “Every square meter of the Canal belongs to Panama and will continue to be so.”
National Security and “The Golden Age”
Trump portrayed these proposals as necessary to restore U.S. strength and security, promising a “golden age” of American power. “This will be the golden age of America,” he declared.
He also called for renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” describing it as “appropriate” and criticizing Mexico for insufficient efforts to curb migration.
While the president-elect offered few specifics about how he would implement these plans, his comments have drawn criticism both domestically and internationally, raising questions about the implications for U.S. foreign relations.
