During a meeting with reporters at his Florida residence, Trump said he could not give assurances that he would not use military force or economic pressure on these issues. “I can’t give you any assurances about any of that,” he said in response to a question from a reporter. “But I can say this: we need them for economic security”
Donald Trump, who is expected to return to the White House, has refused to rule out the use of US military force to regain control of the Panama Canal and buy Greenland, citing economic security as justification. His remarks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago have raised international concerns about a possible shift in American policy.
During a meeting with reporters at his Florida residence, Trump said he could not give assurances that he would not use military force or economic pressure on these issues. “I can’t give you any assurances about any of that,” he said in response to a question from a reporter. “But I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
CLAIM FOR THE PANAMA CANAL
Trump claimed that the Panama Canal, which was transferred to Panama in 1999 under a 1977 treaty, is being “managed by China.” He added that the channel is critical to American interests. “The Panama Canal was built for our military,” Trump said. “Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It is managed by China. China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, not China.”
OBJECTIVE GREENLAND
As for Greenland, Trump threatened economic measures against Denmark, stressing that if the latter opposes his territorial ambitions, “we will impose very high tariffs on Denmark”. He also criticized Canada, saying the country relies on the US military and warned of heavy economic tolls on it. “Canada is subsidized by about 200 billion dollars a year and, practically, does not have an army. They rely on our military,” Trump said.
TRUMP’S SON CAMPAIGN IN GREENLAND
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr., who was in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, handed out hats with the slogan “Make Greenland Great Again” while claiming he was just there as a tourist. In a video, Trump Sr. is heard saying during a phone call: “We will treat you well.”
TENSIONS WITH PANAMA AND DENMARK
Trump’s approach to the Panama Canal and Greenland has caused strong reactions. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rejected Trump’s demands for the return of the canal, declaring that “every square meter” of it will remain under Panamanian sovereignty.
These statements come after Trump threatened that the US will “demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States – completely, quickly and without any questions.” These stances have been seen as an escalation of tensions over this important sea passage, which the US first built in 1914 and managed for much of the 20th century. His confrontational approach brings back echoes of the tensions that led to the US invasion of Panama in 1989.
