Trump has long expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a Danish territory, describing it as “absolutely necessary” for U.S. security. He also raised concerns over the Panama Canal, claiming its current operation by Chinese interests undermines American control of a critical trade route.
President-elect Donald Trump has refused to rule out using military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, citing their importance to American economic and national security.
When a reporter pressed Trump to rule out economic or military coercion to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump said, “I’m not gonna commit to that. No. It might be that you’ll have to do something.” He added: “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
Trump has long expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, a Danish territory, describing it as “absolutely necessary” for U.S. security. He also raised concerns over the Panama Canal, claiming its current operation by Chinese interests undermines American control of a critical trade route.
Trump took aim at Denmark, threatening the country with high tariffs as part of his push to bring Greenland under U.S. control.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rebuffed Trump’s remarks, emphasizing their nations’ sovereignty. Greenland, which became self-ruling in 1979, remains staunchly opposed to any sale. Similarly, Mulino declared Panama’s control of the canal “non-negotiable.”
Of Note:
The king of Denmark has changed the royal coat of arms for the first time in more than 500 years to more prominently feature Greenland.
As global competition intensifies in the Arctic and strategic maritime zones, Trump’s comments signal a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities.
Why Trump wants Greenland: Strategic Resources and Geopolitical Ambitions
President-elect Donald Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland reflects its growing strategic importance. Beyond its symbolic value, the world’s largest island offers critical rare earth minerals essential for defense, electronics, and renewable energy. These resources, coupled with Greenland’s Arctic location, present the U.S. an opportunity to counter China’s dominance in rare earth supplies and assert a stronger presence in a region increasingly accessible due to climate change.
Trump’s stance underscores U.S. strategic priorities in the Arctic, including military readiness, resource security, and diminishing reliance on Beijing. Though the idea of acquiring Greenland isn’t new — dating back to U.S. attempts in 1867 and 1946 — Trump’s bold approach reignites debates over Arctic sovereignty, environmental challenges, and international diplomacy.
Trump Proposes Renaming Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Trump described the proposed name change as “appropriate” and reflective of the U.S. role in the region, claiming, “We do most of the work there, and it’s ours.”
The announcement aligned with a broader critique of the Biden administration’s policies, including offshore drilling regulations. Trump also addressed Mexico’s immigration policies, threatened tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and reiterated past aspirations for U.S. territorial expansion, referencing Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Renaming an international body of water, however, would require consensus among bordering nations, including Mexico and Cuba, making unilateral action by the U.S. improbable. The proposal underscores Trump’s push for assertive rebranding of U.S. influence in the region.
Article courtesy of Jim Wiesemeyer at Ag Web/Farm Journal
