(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.)
Donald Trump appears to be revisiting his interest in Greenland, reigniting discussions he sparked during his initial term regarding the potential U.S. purchase of the territory from Denmark. This renewed focus adds to the mounting tensions with allied nations even before he officially assumes office on January 20.
In a recent announcement unveiling his ambassador to Denmark, Trump stated, “For the sake of National Security and Freedom around the globe, the United States believes that owning and controlling Greenland is absolutely essential.”
Trump’s renewed emphasis on Greenland comes on the heels of his comments over the weekend about possibly regaining control of the Panama Canal if escalating shipping costs continue to impact U.S. interests. He suggested that intervention might be required to address financial strains associated with this crucial passageway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
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In addition, Trump has playfully proposed the idea of transforming Canada into the 51st state, whimsically labeling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” This rhetoric has raised eyebrows and triggered discussions about his international relations strategy.
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, noted that Trump’s confrontational approach towards friendly nations reflects a negotiation tactic he used in his business career. “By asking for something unreasonable, you increase the chances of obtaining a more reasonable outcome,” he explained. Farnsworth is also the author of “Presidential Communication and Character.”
Greenland, the world’s largest island, occupies a strategic position between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. It is predominantly covered by ice and hosts a significant U.S. military presence. Since achieving home rule from Denmark in 1979, Greenland’s current leader, Múte Bourup Egede, has firmly stated that Trump’s attempts to exert U.S. control over the territory are pointless, asserting, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must continue our long-standing struggle for freedom.”
In 2019, Trump canceled a planned visit to Denmark after Danish officials dismissed his proposal to buy Greenland. Now, he is reigniting the discussion, bringing the Panama Canal into the spotlight as another contentious issue, claiming that the U.S. is being “ripped off” in its dealings there.
“If the moral and legal principles of this generous offer are not honored, we will demand the immediate return of the Panama Canal to the United States, without hesitation,” he declared.
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, responded in a video message, insisting that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to do so,” prompting Trump to fire back on social media with, “We’ll see about that!”
Additionally, Trump shared a photo of a U.S. flag positioned in the canal zone, captioned “Welcome to the United States Canal!” Historically, the U.S. constructed the canal in the early 1900s but ceded control to Panama on December 31, 1999, via a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter.
The canal has faced operational challenges due to drought conditions in 2023, which have restricted the number of ships able to transit and caused increased fees for those seeking to secure passage.
Trump’s comments regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal align with his recent statement that “Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State,” alongside a photo of himself on a mountaintop beside a Canadian flag.
Trudeau mentioned that Trump was joking about the prospect of annexing Canada, although they recently met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss potential trade tariffs affecting Canadian goods.
Farnsworth observed, “Canada is not going to become a part of the United States, but Trump’s remarks seem designed to influence negotiations and create uncertainty in Canada’s political environment, especially given its current climate.” He added that this strategy might lead to concessions related to trade, border security, or other matters.
The same logic applies to Trump’s aspirations regarding Greenland, according to Farnsworth. “Ultimately, Trump seeks a victory. Even if the American flag doesn’t fly over Greenland, European leaders might be more open to agreeing to other requests due to the pressure he exerts,” he concluded.
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Associated Press Writer Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report.
