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President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office in January 2025, emphasized an “America-first” foreign policy, prioritizing U.S. national and economic security. He refused to rule out military or economic coercion to secure control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, calling them vital strategic assets.
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- Trump criticized China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal, a key global shipping route, and expressed frustration with the 1977 treaty that transferred control to Panama. He suggested revisiting its ownership, arguing it is essential for U.S. trade and military operations.
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- Trump described Greenland as crucial for U.S. national security and suggested its residents might prefer independence or joining the U.S. He warned Denmark of potential high tariffs if they resist U.S. proposals, while Greenland’s leadership firmly rejected the idea of being “for sale.”
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- Trump’s aggressive stance drew criticism from some, likened to “19th-century imperialism,” but supporters praised his willingness to challenge the status quo and restore American strength globally.
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- Trump reiterated demands for NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, reflecting his broader agenda of asserting U.S. dominance and protecting national interests on the global stage.
In a bold and unapologetic press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military or economic coercion to secure control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, two strategic locations he described as vital to U.S. national security.
Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, 2025, doubled down on his vision of an assertive foreign policy that prioritizes American interests above all else. When pressed by reporters on whether he would consider using force or economic pressure to achieve his goals, Trump responded bluntly, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: we need them for economic security.”
The Panama Canal, a critical global shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been a focal point of Trump’s ire in recent weeks. He has repeatedly criticized China’s growing influence over the canal, which was originally built by the United States at great cost over a century ago. “The Panama Canal is vital to our country,” Trump said. “It’s being operated by China. We gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China, and they’ve abused it. They’ve abused that gift.”
Trump’s frustration stems from the 1977 treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter, which gradually transferred control of the canal to Panama. By 1999, Panama assumed full authority over the waterway, a move Trump called “a terrible thing to do.” He argued that the canal’s strategic importance to U.S. trade and military operations justifies revisiting its ownership.
The president-elect also took aim at Panama’s current leadership, dismissing Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino’s assertion that “every square meter” of the canal belongs to Panama. “We’ll see about that!” Trump fired back in a social media post last month, accompanied by an image of the U.S. flag flying over the canal with the caption, “Welcome to the United States Canal!”
National and economic security at stake
Trump’s ambitions extend beyond the Panama Canal. He has also set his sights on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, which he described as essential for U.S. national security. “People have been talking about it for a long time,” Trump said. “They should give it up, because we need it for national security. That’s for the free world. I’m talking about protecting the free world.”
The president-elect suggested that Greenland’s residents might prefer independence or joining the United States, and he warned Denmark of potential economic consequences if they resist. “If Denmark rejected the U.S. proposal, I would tariff Denmark at a very high level,” Trump said.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded cautiously, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong trade relations with the United States. “I can’t imagine it will ever come to that,” she said in an interview with Danish TV. Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede was more direct, stating, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.”
Trump’s aggressive stance has drawn criticism from some quarters, with retired U.S. diplomat Daniel Fried likening his approach to “19th century imperialism.” However, Trump’s supporters argue that his willingness to challenge the status quo reflects a commitment to restoring American strength and sovereignty on the global stage.
The president-elect’s remarks also touched on broader foreign policy goals, including his demand that NATO members increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP, up from the current 2% target. “They can all afford it,” Trump said, reiterating his long-standing complaint that U.S. allies have not contributed their fair share to collective defense.
Trump’s press conference underscored his determination to pursue an unapologetically America-first agenda, even if it means ruffling feathers on the world stage. Whether his plans for the Panama Canal and Greenland come to fruition remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Trump is not backing down.
As the president-elect prepares to take office, his bold rhetoric and willingness to challenge international norms signal a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy. For Trump, the Panama Canal and Greenland are not just strategic assets—they are symbols of American power and resolve in an increasingly competitive world.
“We’re not stupid anymore,” Trump declared. “We’re going to protect what’s ours.”
By Willow Tohi