At a news conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate, US President-elect Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric surrounding the potential annexation of both Greenland and the Panama Canal. Stating that these territories are essential for national and economic security, Trump left the door open regarding the use of military or economic force, declaring, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two.” This statement has sparked significant backlash from both Denmark and Panama, who have firmly rejected any notion of ceding territory.
During the sprawling press event, initially intended to announce a massive $20 billion investment by Dubai developer Damac Properties into data centres across the US, Trump’s speech veered into contentious territory. He railed against environmental regulations, lamented the US electoral system, and suggested the Gulf of Mexico should be renamed the “Gulf of America”. He even went so far as to denounce wind turbines, claiming they “are driving the whales crazy”.
Trump’s ambitions for Greenland resonate with geopolitical interests, as the territory’s strategic position lies en route from North America to Europe. Greenland hosts a significant American military facility and harbours ample deposits of rare earth minerals—critical resources for modern technology, notably in batteries and electronics. His son, Donald Trump Jr, recently embarked on a personal trip to Greenland, stating he sought to engage with locals but would not meet government officials, further drawing attention to the ongoing controversy.
Responding to inquiries about his son’s visit, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders”. She reiterated that the only people qualified to determine Greenland’s future are its inhabitants. While she asserted that “Greenland is not for sale”, she underscored the importance of cooperation between Denmark and the US, a nation she considered a close ally in NATO.
Trump has not held back in discussing Canada as well, implying a desire to exert pressure on the northern neighbour, decrying the US-Canada border as merely an “artificially drawn line”. This assertion came in the same breath as he discussed possible forms of economic dominance over Canada, should annexation be considered.
International response to Trump’s territorial ambitions has been overwhelmingly negative. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly dismissed the notion of Canada willingly entering into such an arrangement, stating there was “not a snowball’s chance in hell” that Canada would consider any alignment with US aggressive expansionism.
As these tensions mount, many are left to ponder the implications of Trump’s declarations not just for Greenland and Panama, but for international relations and territorial integrity globally. With significant investments needed for the US to fortify its geopolitical positions, the coming weeks and months are likely to be pivotal in shaping the future of these contentious discussions.