If Donald Trump is sincere, he seems to be considering an American territorial expansion that would match the Louisiana Purchase or the agreement that won Alaska away from Russia.
He has mocked Canadian authorities over the past week by implying that the US may become the 51st state by absorbing its northern neighbor. He vowed to seize control of the Panama Canal, a US-built waterway that its namesake in Central America has controlled for 25 years. He also renewed his long-standing ambition to acquire Greenland, a Danish province, on Sunday.It might be difficult to distinguish between Trump's actual policy proposals and rhetorical gimmicks meant to rouse his audience or garner media attention. Other times, his provocations have appeared to be the opening salvos in his attempts at dealmaking.
In fact, Trump offered the nation a way to escape his wrath when he threatened to retake the Panama Canal this past weekend: reduced tolls for American ships that use the route to traverse between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
"Therefore, please be guided accordingly, Panamanian officials," he cautioned Sunday when speaking to conservative activists in Arizona.
Nevertheless, the recommendations are remarkably similar in that they center on growing the American presence overseas. Additionally, the views bear contemporary parallels of the 19th-century doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which held that the United States had a divine right to spread across the continent, according to someone who argued during the campaign that the US should refrain from overseas engagement.
On Sunday night, Trump declared that Greenland's ownership was "absolutely necessary" for "national security and freedom throughout the world." His proposal to take ownership of the Panama Canal, which he called a "vital national asset" despite the fact that America hasn't owned it for decades, was part of a similarly nationalist program that Trump frequently refers to as "America First."
Trump also reaffirmed his intentions to label drug cartels as international terrorist organizations during his speech in Arizona this past weekend. This designation might come before the deployment of military force on Mexican territory. Trump has threatened to use special forces to kill cartel leaders and drop bombs on fentanyl labs, which may violate Mexican sovereignty and sour relations with the US's biggest trading partner.
Trump's transition staff pointed CNN to his recent remarks and social media posts rather than providing an explanation of whether these current remarks are the result of sincere aspirations or other factors.
Numerous individuals involved in Trump's transition were unable to identify the cause of his unexpected interest in the ongoing operations at the Panama Canal, a subject he avoided discussing during the campaign. However, according to one adviser, Trump frequently raises topics that are brought to his attention by anyone, from old friends to strangers, if it excites him. Trump has mostly spent his days since winning the election last month hosting heads of state, donors, business magnates, and close supporters at his Palm Beach home.
Concerns on how US companies are treated in Panama, according to another adviser, probably struck a chord with Trump because "trade is top of mind for him." A predicted increase in product prices brought on by the tariffs Trump plans to put on foreign goods could possibly be mitigated by pressure on Panama to reduce rates for ships that utilize the canal.
Regarding Trump's remarks on Fox Business on Monday, Florida GOP Representative Carlos Gimenez stated, "I always take him seriously, even though they may sound a little bit out there." "It poses a real risk to Panama."
José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, declared control of the port "not negotiable" in a lengthy statement broadcast on social media in both Spanish and English. Constructed in the beginning of the twentieth century, the canal was used by the United States until 1999, when it was completely transferred to Panama in accordance with a contract made by President Jimmy Carter twenty years earlier that ensured the United States would always have access to the canal.
"I want to be clear that every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area is and will remain part of Panama," Mulino stated.
Trump and his supporters, however, were unfazed by the reaction and doubled down on his most recent cause with social media jokes and photos.
Trump said on Truth Social, "Welcome to the United States Canal," and included a photo of a US flag flying over the waterway.
Mulino mocked Trump's claim that Panama cannot guarantee the canal's operation in an interview with CNN en Espanol contributor Andres Oppenheimer that will air this Sunday. That demonstrates a glaring lack of historical knowledge. He highlighted the efforts, including an expansion project, that Panama has accomplished since the US handed it over, saying that it "leaves multimillion-dollar profits for our national economy." The canal will commemorate 25 years under Panamanian ownership, under Panamanian administration, on December 31.
Similarly, Trump's proposal to buy Greenland from Denmark, which he first put out during his first term, was rejected.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Mute Egede, the prime minister of the autonomous Danish region, declared that "Greenland is ours" and that "we are not for sale and will never be for sale."
Egede was echoed by the office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who described Trump's first-term proposal that Greenland could be bought as "absurd."
On December 4, 2019, US President Donald Trump (L) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during the NATO summit's plenary session at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London.
"Therefore, please be guided accordingly, Panamanian officials," he cautioned Sunday when speaking to conservative activists in Arizona.
Nevertheless, the recommendations are remarkably similar in that they center on growing the American presence overseas. Additionally, the views bear contemporary parallels of the 19th-century doctrine of Manifest Destiny, which held that the United States had a divine right to spread across the continent, according to someone who argued during the campaign that the US should refrain from overseas engagement.
On Sunday night, Trump declared that Greenland's ownership was "absolutely necessary" for "national security and freedom throughout the world." His proposal to take ownership of the Panama Canal, which he called a "vital national asset" despite the fact that America hasn't owned it for decades, was part of a similarly nationalist program that Trump frequently refers to as "America First."
Trump also reaffirmed his intentions to label drug cartels as international terrorist organizations during his speech in Arizona this past weekend. This designation might come before the deployment of military force on Mexican territory. Trump has threatened to use special forces to kill cartel leaders and drop bombs on fentanyl labs, which may violate Mexican sovereignty and sour relations with the US's biggest trading partner.
Trump's transition staff pointed CNN to his recent remarks and social media posts rather than providing an explanation of whether these current remarks are the result of sincere aspirations or other factors.
Numerous individuals involved in Trump's transition were unable to identify the cause of his unexpected interest in the ongoing operations at the Panama Canal, a subject he avoided discussing during the campaign. However, according to one adviser, Trump frequently raises topics that are brought to his attention by anyone, from old friends to strangers, if it excites him. Trump has mostly spent his days since winning the election last month hosting heads of state, donors, business magnates, and close supporters at his Palm Beach home.
Concerns on how US companies are treated in Panama, according to another adviser, probably struck a chord with Trump because "trade is top of mind for him." A predicted increase in product prices brought on by the tariffs Trump plans to put on foreign goods could possibly be mitigated by pressure on Panama to reduce rates for ships that utilize the canal.
Regarding Trump's remarks on Fox Business on Monday, Florida GOP Representative Carlos Gimenez stated, "I always take him seriously, even though they may sound a little bit out there." "It poses a real risk to Panama."
José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, declared control of the port "not negotiable" in a lengthy statement broadcast on social media in both Spanish and English. Constructed in the beginning of the twentieth century, the canal was used by the United States until 1999, when it was completely transferred to Panama in accordance with a contract made by President Jimmy Carter twenty years earlier that ensured the United States would always have access to the canal.
"I want to be clear that every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area is and will remain part of Panama," Mulino stated.
Trump and his supporters, however, were unfazed by the reaction and doubled down on his most recent cause with social media jokes and photos.
Trump said on Truth Social, "Welcome to the United States Canal," and included a photo of a US flag flying over the waterway.
Mulino mocked Trump's claim that Panama cannot guarantee the canal's operation in an interview with CNN en Espanol contributor Andres Oppenheimer that will air this Sunday. That demonstrates a glaring lack of historical knowledge. He highlighted the efforts, including an expansion project, that Panama has accomplished since the US handed it over, saying that it "leaves multimillion-dollar profits for our national economy." The canal will commemorate 25 years under Panamanian ownership, under Panamanian administration, on December 31.
Similarly, Trump's proposal to buy Greenland from Denmark, which he first put out during his first term, was rejected.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Mute Egede, the prime minister of the autonomous Danish region, declared that "Greenland is ours" and that "we are not for sale and will never be for sale."
Egede was echoed by the office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who described Trump's first-term proposal that Greenland could be bought as "absurd."
On December 4, 2019, US President Donald Trump (L) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak during the NATO summit's plenary session at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast of London.
The government is eager to collaborate with the incoming [Trump] administration. Transatlantic collaboration is essential in a complicated security political environment like the one we are now in, according to a statement released on Monday. The statement went on to say, "The Prime Minister's Office has no comments regarding statements regarding Greenland other than referencing the Premier of Greenland's statement that Greenland is open for cooperation and not for sale."
Although he eventually played down his interest, Trump first explored the concept in private and then officially acknowledged it in 2019.
At the time, he stated, "Strategically, it's interesting, and we would be interested, but we will talk with them a little bit." "I can assure you that it's not the top priority on the burner."
But he brought up the concept again on Sunday when he announced that Ken Howery, a co-founder of PayPay, would be his ambassador to Denmark.
Following their recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's plan to invade Canada seems much less serious and more like a public jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, the president-elect has persisted in hinting to the concept on social media.
In a recent post, he stated, "I think it's a great idea."
The episode centers on another Trump provocation that exemplifies his strategy for engaging in negotiations with foreign leaders: the imposition of 25% tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico.
The move, in many respects, produced the desired outcome: officials from both nations promptly sought a meeting with Trump to reiterate their pledge to support the United States on border matters. Additionally, it gave Trump a head start in claiming victory over a foreign target.
In a recent release, his transition team stated, "President Trump Is Securing The Border, And He Hasn't Even Taken Office Yet."
Although he eventually played down his interest, Trump first explored the concept in private and then officially acknowledged it in 2019.
At the time, he stated, "Strategically, it's interesting, and we would be interested, but we will talk with them a little bit." "I can assure you that it's not the top priority on the burner."
But he brought up the concept again on Sunday when he announced that Ken Howery, a co-founder of PayPay, would be his ambassador to Denmark.
Following their recent dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's plan to invade Canada seems much less serious and more like a public jab at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, the president-elect has persisted in hinting to the concept on social media.
In a recent post, he stated, "I think it's a great idea."
The episode centers on another Trump provocation that exemplifies his strategy for engaging in negotiations with foreign leaders: the imposition of 25% tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico.
The move, in many respects, produced the desired outcome: officials from both nations promptly sought a meeting with Trump to reiterate their pledge to support the United States on border matters. Additionally, it gave Trump a head start in claiming victory over a foreign target.
In a recent release, his transition team stated, "President Trump Is Securing The Border, And He Hasn't Even Taken Office Yet."
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