US President-elect Donald Trump has reignited global tensions with provocative comments about acquiring Greenland, reclaiming the Panama Canal, and jokingly annexing Canada. His remarks, made during a flurry of public appearances and social media posts, have left world leaders scrambling to decipher whether he is serious or engaging in his characteristic headline-grabbing tactics. With just weeks until his return to the Oval Office, Trump’s comments underscore his disruptive approach to foreign policy and have sparked fresh fears among US allies.
Trump’s rhetoric is already drawing sharp rebukes. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede flatly rejected Trump’s assertion that the island is essential for US national security, declaring that it is “not for sale.” Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino dismissed Trump’s threat to retake control of the Panama Canal, affirming that the waterway “belongs to Panama and will remain so.”
Why it matters
- Trump’s remarks are more than rhetorical flourishes—they signal his intent to reshape the global order in ways that could strain US relationships with close allies. By challenging the sovereignty of Greenland, Panama, and even joking about Canada, Trump has rekindled concerns from his first term about his tendency to antagonize allies while often praising adversaries like Russia’s
Vladimir Putin . - His comments also come at a delicate time globally. In Europe, Trump’s provocative statements about Nato during his campaign have left leaders anxious about the alliance’s future. At home, his remarks risk alienating Republicans who support a more traditional foreign policy approach.
- Greenland is seen as increasingly important strategically due to its mineral resources and its role in Arctic geopolitics. Trump’s revived interest reflects broader US concerns about countering China’s growing influence in the region.
- In Panama, Trump’s comments appear aimed at alleged high shipping fees for US vessels and China’s growing footprint near the canal. However, the rhetoric could risk pushing Panama further into Beijing’s orbit.
The big picture
- Trump’s rhetoric reflects a broader pattern of using controversial statements to gain leverage in negotiations—a strategy often likened to his “art of the deal” philosophy. Critics, however, argue that his approach risks alienating allies and creating unnecessary geopolitical friction.
- Frank Sesno, a professor at George Washington University and former White House correspondent, emphasized the challenges Trump’s rhetoric poses for foreign leaders. “Imagine if you’re the President of Panama. How do you react? You can’t ignore it,” Sesno told AFP, noting that such comments often force allies to respond, regardless of whether Trump is serious.
- Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, which he first floated during his presidency, highlights the island’s growing importance in Arctic geopolitics. With ice melting due to climate change, Arctic sea routes are becoming more navigable, and Greenland’s untapped mineral resources, including rare earth metals, are drawing global interest.
- Stephanie Pezard, a senior political scientist with the Rand Corporation, said Trump’s comments could be a signal to Denmark, which controls Greenland, to avoid leaning toward China. “This could be a message that if you’re too friendly with China, you’ll find us in your way,” she told AFP.
Zoom in: The Greenland gambit
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has long been of interest to the United States due to its strategic location and natural resources. Trump previously attempted to buy the island during his first term, only to be rebuffed by Danish officials and Greenland’s leaders.
Over the weekend, Trump revived the idea, declaring that “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for US national security. His comments prompted a swift response from Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede, who reiterated that the island “is not for sale.”
Analysts believe Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland could also be linked to countering China’s ambitions in the Arctic. China has sought to expand its influence in the region through infrastructure projects and investment, raising alarms in Washington.
However, any attempt by the US to acquire Greenland would face significant legal and political hurdles. Pezard noted that such a move would be “unfeasible, not just in international law but more broadly in the global order that the US has been trying to uphold.”
Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.
Mute Egede, Prime Minister of Greenland
Zoom in: The Panama Canal controversy
- Trump’s remarks on the Panama Canal have raised similar concerns. The canal, built by the US in 1914 and handed over to Panama in 1999, remains a vital shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Trump criticized Panama for charging what he called “unfair fees” for US ships and suggested that Washington should retake control of the canal if Panama does not comply with US demands.
- Mulino, Panama’s president, rejected Trump’s claims, stating that the canal “belongs to Panama and will remain so.” He also highlighted the significant profits the canal generates for Panama’s economy.
- While Trump’s comments may resonate with his base as a show of strength, analysts warn that they could push Panama closer to China. A Hong Kong-based company already manages two major ports near the canal, and China is the second-largest user of the canal.
- “It’s all about leverage and flexing,” said Tricia McLaughlin, an adviser to Trump ally Vivek Ramaswamy, told Reuters. “He’s trying to thwart [China’s] influence in Latin America.”
Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama, and will continue to.
Jose Raul Mulino, President of Panama
Zoom in: The Canada quip
Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the US’s 51st state was widely seen as a joke, but it underscores his willingness to challenge allies in pursuit of leverage. Trump’s remarks came amid tensions over potential tariffs on Canadian imports, which he has used as a negotiating tool in the past.
Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the comments likely aimed to pressure Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has faced domestic criticism over his leadership. “Trump is piling the pressure on Trudeau,” Abrams told Reuters.
Echoes of Manifest Destiny or negotiation tactics?
Trump’s recent statements evoke comparisons to 19th-century expansionist policies like Manifest Destiny, which justified US territorial growth as a divine right. While some dismiss his remarks as bluster, others see a deliberate strategy to reshape global power dynamics.
Victoria Coates, a former national security adviser under Trump, defended his approach, arguing that it reflects a commitment to “America First” principles. “What’s good for America is good for the rest of the world,” she said.
However, detractors warn that Trump’s unpredictability risks alienating allies and creating opportunities for adversaries like Russia and China to exploit divisions. Mayer Mizrachi Matalon, the conservative mayor of Panama City, issued a scathing statement, declaring, “We are not, nor will we ever be, a 51st state.”
What they’re saying
- Sherri Goodman, a former Pentagon official and Arctic expert, emphasized the risks of Trump’s approach. “There is international law, international order, and sovereignty,” she told the New York Times. “Greenland is still a part of Denmark, and its people must decide their own fate.”
- However, Goodman noted that Trump’s interest in Greenland reflects legitimate strategic concerns. “We want territories proximate to our own mainland to protect us and prevent adversaries from using them to our strategic disadvantage,” she added.
- Stephanie Pezard, senior political scientist at the Rand Corporation: “The idea is that what’s good for America is good for the rest of the world. So he takes a clear-eyed look at what are America’s interests in any given situation.”
- But there could also be a signal to Denmark that ‘If you’re too friendly with China, you’ll find us in your way’—even though Denmark and Greenland had been very good Nato allies.”
- “Trump is piling the pressure on Trudeau, I think it’s part of a negotiation over tariffs,” Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said. “I think you’ll see the same thing with Mexico at some point.”
- McLaughlin, Ramaswamy’s adviser, said: “It’s a message to Trudeau that you and Canada are the little brother, don’t bite the hand that feeds you until you have paid your fair share in tariffs,” she said.
What’s next
As Trump prepares to take office, his foreign policy comments are likely to continue fueling debate. Whether these remarks represent genuine ambitions or tactical posturing remains unclear, but the impact on US relations with allies could be significant.
Trump’s remarks on Greenland, Panama, and Canada reflect a broader challenge: balancing a strong “America First” agenda with maintaining the alliances that underpin US global leadership. As he returns to the presidency, the world will be watching closely to see how these provocations translate into policy.
(With inputs from agencies)
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