US President-elect Donald Trump delivers remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US, January 7, 2025.
Carlos Barea | Reuters
President-elect Donald Trump Trump on Tuesday refused to rule out using the U.S. military to control the Panama Canal and Greenland, expanding on a series of recent statements he's made about annexing more territory to the United States during his second term.
“We need them for economic security,” Trump said by trading in Central America and the autonomous region of Denmark, during a lengthy news conference at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago.
A reporter asked Trump if he could reassure the public that he would not use military or economic coercion to pursue either territory.
The president-elect replied, “No, I cannot assure you that either of those two exists.”
“The Panama Canal was built for our army. I will not commit to that, no… Maybe you should do something,” he said.
Trump also expressed concern and frustration about China's activity in both the Panama Canal and Greenland, potentially sending a signal to the powerful US adversary about its efforts to expand its global reach.
He added that the canal is “run by China.” “We didn’t give it to China, and they abused it.”
At the same press conference, Trump announced that his administration would seek to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to “America’s Gulf.”
“What a beautiful name,” he said. “And it fits.”
the Rich in petroleum The body of water is The ninth largest in the worldIt is identified on maps as the Gulf of Mexico Since the sixteenth century AD.
Since winning the presidential election in November, Trump has repeatedly considered annexing territory, especially the Panama Canal. He criticized former President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 29, for negotiating the treaty that eventually gave Panama full control of the 51-mile waterway.
The Republican, who takes office in less than two weeks, has also expressed interest in making Canada the “51st state.”
But he said on Tuesday that he was considering using only economic pressure, not military, on the US ally and major trading partner.
“That would be a real thing,” he said of Canada's absorption into the United States. “You have to get rid of that artificially drawn line and take a look at what that would look like, and that would also be much better for national security.”
Trump complained about the US trade deficit with Canada, saying: “It's OK if you're one country, but if you're another country, we don't want that.”
Trump threatened to impose Great definitions On imports from Canada, and Second largest trading partner With the United States
Trump said in a speech: “But there will be no tariffs” on Canada if it becomes a US state Social truth Last Monday. He posted this comment after embattled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement He will step down As the leader of the country.
Trump's expansive comments have sometimes been met with ridicule.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday jokingly issued a counteroffer to… Canada buys Alaska And other American states before concluding, saying: “It is not realistic.”
And Trudeau Written on X On Tuesday afternoon, “there is not much chance of Canada becoming part of the United States.”
Greenland's Prime Minister, Miot Egedy, said categorically last December that the island “Not for sale “It will never be for sale.”
Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., arrived in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Tuesday, to create media content.
His father in A Truth is a social function The day before, he said Trump Jr. was there “to visit some great areas and attractions.”
“Greenland is a wonderful place, and people will benefit greatly if and when it becomes part of our nation,” Trump wrote.
