Palm Beach: President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday declined to rule out using military or economic measures to acquire the Panama Canal and Greenland. This stance is part of an ambitious expansionist agenda he has advocated since winning the Nov. 5 election.
As he prepares to take office on Jan. 20, Trump has proposed turning Canada into a U.S. state, demanding higher defense spending from NATO allies, and renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
Speaking at his Florida resort, Trump said, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security,” when asked if he would avoid military or economic coercion in acquiring the Panama Canal and Greenland.
Donald Trump vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America' and reiterated his promise to impose significant tariffs on Mexico and Canada during a press conference in Florida https://t.co/dAtwpDBp69 pic.twitter.com/FyoWbdvPjs
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 8, 2025
Criticism of Allies
Trump criticized U.S. spending on Canadian goods and defense support, describing the border with Canada as an “artificially drawn line”. He also suggested imposing tariffs on Denmark if it resists his proposal to purchase Greenland, citing its importance to U.S. security. Meanwhile, his son, Don Jr., arrived in Greenland for a private visit.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded, “I don’t think it’s a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners.”
Pushback from Canada and Panama
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated, “Our economy is strong. Our people are strong. We will never back down in the face of threats.” Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha emphasized, “The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and that’s how it will continue to be.”
NATO Defense Spending
Trump reiterated demands for NATO members to allocate 5% of GDP to defense, far exceeding the current 2% target. “They can all afford it, but they should be at 5%, not 2%,” Trump stated. Current NATO figures show the U.S. at 3.38% and Poland at 4.12%, with no member meeting a 5% threshold.
Hostage Deadline for Hamas
Trump issued a stark warning to Hamas to release hostages abducted from Israel by his inauguration. “It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he said. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations.
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Domestic and Legal Issues
Trump reiterated grievances about criminal indictments, including accusations of falsifying business records. His bid to halt sentencing by New York Judge Juan Merchan was denied. Additionally, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon temporarily blocked Special Counsel Jack Smith from releasing a report on Trump’s handling of classified documents.
Comments on Elon Musk
Asked about Elon Musk’s involvement in foreign affairs, Trump praised the billionaire, calling him “a smart guy,” but distanced himself from Musk’s recent controversial comments.
The hour-long press conference, held in the ornate living room at Mar-a-Lago, reflected Trump’s typical free-wheeling style, blending domestic controversies with foreign policy provocations.
