President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on a platform of isolating the United States from foreign conflicts such as the Ukraine war, increasing tariffs on foreign trading partners, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing.
But in recent days he has proposed a more aggressive approach to his foreign policy.
At first, he joked that Canada was an additional US state. Since then, he has threatened to do so Regain control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated his desire since his first term to have the autonomous Danish province of Greenland, which Not for sale.
It is unlikely that the United States will be able to control any of these areas. But these statements could indicate that Trump's “America First” vision includes flexing the superpower's muscles beyond its borders for the benefit of American trade and national security interests.
On Sunday, Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona that Panama is charging American ships “ridiculous and very unfair” fees to use the canal of the same name.
After assuming responsibility for building the canal in the early 1900s, the United States handed over full control of Panama in the 1970s through a treaty. But this week, Trump said that if the “theft” was not stopped, he would demand the channel be returned to the United States – although he did not specify how.
Trump added that he does not want the Panama Canal to fall into the wrong hands, and specifically pointed to China, which has significant interests in the waterway.
“There is a real national security interest for the United States… in controlling its neutrality,” Will Freeman, a fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s comments.
“Trump's statement is mostly about this topic.”
China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal after the United States, according to the data. It has large economic investments in the country as well.
In 2017, Panama severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan It was recognized as part of China, a major win for Beijing.
Not only is the Panama Canal essential for American trade in the Pacific, but in the event of any military conflict with China, it would be needed to transport American ships and other assets, Freeman said.
He also pointed to Trump's repeated comments about unfair treatment of America's trading partners, as well as the president-elect's pledge to sharply increase tariffs on foreign goods, especially those from China.
Freeman said Trump's complaints about shipping tariffs appeared to reflect his views on trade.
Freeman said that although the statements may be “coercive,” it remains to be seen “whether canal authorities will reduce duties on American goods in response to the threat.”
Panama's President José Raul Molino issued a statement saying that the canal and the surrounding area belonged to his country, and would remain so.
Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the United States “feels that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for reasons of national security and global freedom.
The United States maintains the Petovik Space Base in Greenland. The region is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and is strategically located for trade as world powers seek to expand their reach into the Arctic Circle.
Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity.
Trump floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, and it never materialized.
Greenland's Prime Minister Moti P. Egedy responded to Trump's latest comments this week: “We are not for sale and we will never be for sale.”
However, Trump continued to double down on his public statements online.
Trump's account on the Truth Social website showed a picture of an American flag planted in the middle of the Panama Canal.
His second eldest son, Eric Trump, posted a photo on X showing the United States adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to its Amazon online shopping cart.
For Trump, promises to use American power to his advantage helped propel his two successful presidential campaigns.
This was a tactic he used during his first term as president, where he threatened to impose tariffs and deploy “armed soldiers” to steer Mexico toward strengthening law enforcement along its border with the United States.
As his second term approaches, Trump may plan to use a similar playbook once he takes office on January 20.
While it remains to be seen, Denmark has expressed its willingness to work with his administration.
It also announced a significant increase in Greenland's defense spendingThis came hours after Trump repeated his desire to buy Arctic lands.
