Trump does not rule out military action over the Panama Canal and Greenland

US President-elect Donald Trump is not ruling out US military operations in his expansion plans for the Panama Canal and Greenland. Asked by a journalist whether he could assure the world that he would not use military or economic coercion, Trump said: “I can’t commit to that.” It could be that “you have to do something”. Trump spoke at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

Trump had previously described transit fees at the Panama Canal as “highly unfair.” He called for control of the waterway to be returned to the United States if it was not treated fairly.

The canal – one of the world’s most important trade routes – was built by the United States in the early 20th century and long controlled before management gradually passed to Panama. “The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It is operated by China,” Trump complained at Mar-a-Lago.

Trump had also repeatedly expressed interest in the island of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. In December he said: “In the interest of national security and freedom in the world, the United States believes that possession and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. is currently visiting the island – officially the trip is of a private nature. Trump claimed at the press conference that we didn’t even know whether Denmark had any legal claim to Greenland. “But if so, they should give it up because we need (Greenland) for national security.”

In addition, Trump decided that the Gulf of Mexico should henceforth be called the “Gulf of America.” The name he suggested had “a beautiful sound.” The name of the gulf on the southern coast of the USA has been in use since the 16th century. The body of water borders not only on the US states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, but also on Mexico and Cuba. A renaming would therefore require diplomatic negotiations with these states and would also entail significant adjustments in maps, international treaties and scientific documents.

This isn’t the first time Trump has suggested a name change. He had previously suggested renaming North America’s highest mountain – Denali – back to Mount McKinley. The mountain was officially renamed under Trump’s predecessor, Democrat Barack Obama, at the request of the state of Alaska after years of dispute.

In addition, Trump threatened Canada with “economic violence.” Trump is toying with making Canada the 51st US state. In the event of a merger, “there would be no tariffs, taxes would be significantly reduced and they would be completely safe from the threat of Russian and Chinese ships that constantly surround them,” Trump wrote on his online service Truth Social.

“Canada and the United States, that would really be something,” Trump said. “You would get rid of this artificially drawn line and look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security.”

Trump announced at the end of November that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada. After meeting with Trudeau at his private residence in Florida, the right-wing populist joked that he had had dinner with a governor. In the USA, “governor” is the official title for the heads of government of the individual states. Fox News reported that Trump told the Canadian leader that his country should become the 51st US state if it cannot cope with the increased tariffs.

Note: This post has been updated.