Donald Trump has refused to rule out using force to gain Greenland or control of the Panama Canal, as he pledged to rename the Gulf of Mexico “America’s Gulf.”
In a freewheeling press conference less than two weeks before taking office, the US president-elect threatened to use his country's economic and military power against traditional allies to advance national security and regional expansion.
He was asked whether he ruled out the use of military or economic coercion to obtain weapons Greenland Or take control of the Panama Canal. “No, I can't assure you about either,” he said. But I can say this, we need them for economic security. . . “We need Greenland for national security reasons.”
At a press conference held on Tuesday at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump He pledged to impose “a tariff on Denmark at a very high level” unless the country relinquished control of Greenland, which he sought to purchase during his first term.
Earlier on Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, is autonomous. “It wasn't for sale” But she stressed that she is keen to cooperate with Washington in the Arctic.
In response to Trump's recent comments, she added that the United States is Denmark's “most important and closest ally” and that she does not have “the imagination to believe that we would reach” potential military or economic coercion to take control of Greenland.
Since 2019, Trump has been seeking to control the largest island in the world, which is inhabited by only 56,000 people but is central to the strategically important Arctic region.
He also said in his press conference that the United States needs to control the Panama Canal, which the country built more than 100 years ago, because of the strategic role of the canal.
He added: “The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” “It is operated by China… We gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we did not give it to China.”
In another criticism of a traditional ally, Trump said that the United States annexing Canada “would be a real thing,” but it would happen through “economic force” rather than military action.
“You have to get rid of this artificially drawn line, and take a look at what that would look like, and that would also be much better for national security. Don't forget, we are fundamentally protecting Canada.”
Trump pointed to the US deficit with the two countries and the flow of migrants across the southern border of the United States, and said he was prepared to impose higher tariffs on Canada and Mexico. “We will impose very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada… and then we want to get along with everyone,” he said.
He added: “We will change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.” “What a beautiful name. That's appropriate.”
Trump described Mexico as a “very dangerous place” that “allows millions of people to flood into our country” and is “primarily run by (drug) cartels.”
Mexico has been witnessing an unprecedented wave of murders since 2009, as organized criminal groups expanded their scope of operation from drug and migrant smuggling to oil theft and extortion.
When Trump initially proposed imposing tariffs on Mexico and Canada shortly after his election in November, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum initially hinted at retaliatory measures.
While the two leaders said they had a cordial conversation afterward, Sheinbaum is now bracing for an onslaught of mass deportations, trade barriers and pressure for greater U.S. involvement in tackling cartels.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded on social media that both countries benefit from being each other's largest trade and security partner. He added: “There is not much chance that Canada will become part of the United States.” to publish On X.
Additional reporting by Richard Milne and Ilya Gridnev
