President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to rule out military or economic actions to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland, underscoring a broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the November 5 election.
Set to assume office on January 20, Trump also floated the idea of making Canada a U.S. state, called for significantly higher defense spending from NATO allies, and reiterated his desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Trump’s Expansionist Agenda
During a press conference at his Florida resort, Trump stated, “We need [the Panama Canal and Greenland] for economic security,” when asked if he would rule out using force or economic pressure. He criticized U.S. spending on Canadian goods and military support for Canada, calling the border between the nations an "artificially drawn line."
Trump also threatened tariffs on Denmark if it refused to sell Greenland, emphasizing its importance to U.S. national security. His son, Don Jr., was reportedly in Greenland on a private visit at the time of the remarks. Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, rejected the proposal, stating, “Greenland is not for sale.”
Canada and Panama responded strongly to Trump’s comments. Canada’s foreign minister, Melanie Joly, emphasized her nation’s strength and independence, saying, “We will never back down in the face of threats.” Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha firmly stated that the canal would remain under Panamanian control.
Reactions and Criticism
Experts and foreign diplomats criticized Trump’s remarks, likening them to 19th-century imperialism. Ambassador Daniel Fried warned that such actions would harm U.S. alliances, particularly NATO, and draw comparisons to the aggressive territorial ambitions of leaders like Vladimir Putin.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
Trump also reiterated his desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico, echoing his earlier pledge to reverse the renaming of Denali (formerly Mount McKinley) during the Obama administration. Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard dismissed the idea, asserting, “In 30 years, the Gulf of Mexico will still be called the Gulf of Mexico.”
NATO Spending and Middle East Threats
Trump called for NATO allies to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, well above the current 2% target. He criticized member nations for not contributing enough and suggested raising the minimum contribution to ensure equitable burden-sharing. Currently, no NATO member, including the U.S., spends 5% of GDP on defense.
On the Middle East, Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas regarding hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. He declared that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if hostages were not released before his inauguration. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, expressed cautious optimism about ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
Trump’s comments signal a potentially aggressive and unconventional approach to foreign policy, drawing mixed reactions from global leaders and analysts.
