PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, emphasizing that both are critical to U.S. national security.
Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before his inauguration on Jan. 20, and as a delegation including Donald Trump Jr. visits Greenland, Trump suggested the U.S. military might play a role in securing these territories. His comments marked a sharp departure from longstanding U.S. policies favoring self-determination over territorial expansion.
“I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump said when asked if he would rule out military action. “It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
Greenland, which hosts a significant U.S. military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO founding member and close U.S. ally. Trump questioned the legitimacy of Denmark’s claim to Greenland.
The Panama Canal, under Panamanian control for over 25 years, was fully handed over in 1999 after decades of joint management. Trump’s remarks come as he continues to challenge the international status quo.
Danish and Panamanian Leaders Respond
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking to TV2, reiterated Denmark’s commitment to its alliance with the U.S. while dismissing any notion of forceful action.
“The United States is Denmark’s most important and closest ally,” Frederiksen said. “I do not believe the U.S. will use military or economic power to secure control over Greenland.”
Frederiksen welcomed greater U.S. interest in the Arctic but stressed that such engagement must respect the Greenlandic people and maintain NATO cooperation.
Meanwhile, Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha reaffirmed his country’s sovereignty over the canal. “The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest,” he said.
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Trump’s Delegation and Social Media Posts
Earlier, Trump shared a video of his private plane landing in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, showcasing the region’s snowy peaks and fjords. “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland,” he wrote. “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!”
Greenland’s government clarified that Donald Trump Jr.’s visit was unofficial and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.
Canada and Other Ambitions
Trump has also floated the idea of Canada joining the U.S. as the 51st state, though he ruled out military action, opting instead for “economic force” to address the U.S. trade deficit with Canada. Canadian leaders dismissed his rhetoric, with Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly calling his comments “a complete lack of understanding” of Canada’s strength. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was more direct: “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”
NATO and Other Proposals
Trump also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” citing its “beautiful ring,” and urged NATO members to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, up from the current 2% target.
On domestic matters, Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden’s decision to ban offshore energy drilling in most federal waters. Trump vowed to reverse the policy on his first day in office and, if necessary, challenge it in court.
“They told me that, we’re going to do everything possible to make this transition to the new administration very smooth,” Trump said. “It’s not smooth.”
Despite his criticism, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, acknowledged that Biden’s team had been cooperative during the transition.
Legal Challenges and Final Remarks
Trump also took aim at special counsel Jack Smith, whose investigations into Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and possession of classified documents were dropped following Trump’s election victory. The Justice Department is expected to release a report summarizing Smith’s work.
Promising a “Golden Age of America,” Trump’s remarks signal a bold, controversial start to his presidency.
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