In a controversial news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out using military action to seize control of Greenland and retake the Panama Canal, citing “economic security” as his primary concern, Daily Beast reports.
Responding to a question from The New York Times’ David Sanger, Trump was asked if he could assure the world he would not use “military or economic coercion” to claim the two regions. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two,” Trump said, adding, “But I can say this, we need them for economic security.”
Greenland: A new frontier?
Trump has made no secret of his interest in Greenland. On Monday, he took to Truth Social, declaring, “Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
His comments follow a visit by Donald Trump Jr. to the island earlier this week. However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly dismissed the idea, reiterating that Greenland is not for sale.
Expansionist ambitions
Trump’s expansionist vision doesn’t stop at Greenland. During the same news conference, he floated the possibility of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and hinted at using “economic force” to exert control over Canada.
“Because Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security,” Trump said.
A day earlier, Trump taunted Canadians on Truth Social after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned. “Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State,” he wrote. “The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned.”
While outlining his ambitions, Trump also complained about slow-dripping taps, uncomfortable electric heaters, and politically motivated prosecutors, blaming these issues on President Joe Biden.
Despite his bold ideas, Trump made it clear he does not plan to use military force against Canada, preferring economic strategies instead.
