Why did Trump propose acquisitions of Greenland and the Panama Canal?

President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of isolating the United States from foreign conflicts like the Ukraine war, raising tariffs on foreign trading partners and rebuilding domestic manufacturing.

But in recent days he has suggested a more outwardly aggressive approach to his foreign policy.

At first he joked that Canada was just another state in the United States. He has since threatened to regain control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated his first term’s desire to possess the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland, which It is not for sale.

It is unlikely that the United States will take control of any of these regions. But these statements could indicate that Trump’s “America First” vision includes flexing the superpower’s muscle beyond its borders for U.S. trade and national security interests.

On Sunday, Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona that Panama was charging American ships “ridiculous and very unfair” fees to use the canal of the same name.

After taking over construction of the canal in the early 20th century, the United States handed full control to Panama in the 1970s through a treaty. But this week, Trump said that if the “scam” did not stop, he would demand that the channel be returned to the United States, although he did not specify how.

Trump added that he did not want the Panama Canal to “fall into the wrong hands” and specifically cited China, which has significant interests in the waterway.

“There is a real national security interest of the United States… in reining in its neutrality,” Will Freeman, a fellow in Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s comments.

“Trump’s statement is mostly about that.”

According to the data, China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal after the United States. It also has important economic investments in the country.

In 2017, Panama cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognized it as part of China, a major victory for Beijing.

The Panama Canal is not only essential for American trade in the Pacific, Freeman said: in the event of any military conflict with China, it would be needed to move ships and other American assets.

He also highlighted Trump’s frequent comments about his trading partners’ unfair treatment of the United States, as well as the president-elect’s promise to dramatically increase tariffs on foreign goods, particularly those from China.

Trump’s complaints about shipping rates appeared to reflect his views on trade, Freeman said.

While the statements could be “coercive,” Freeman said, it remains to be seen “whether canal authorities reduce rates on U.S. cargo in response to the threat.”

Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, issued a statement saying that the canal and its surroundings belonged to his country and would remain so.

Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the United States “feels ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for reasons of national security and global freedom.

The United States maintains the Pituffik space base in Greenland. The territory is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and occupies a strategic location for trade as world powers seek to expand their reach into the Arctic Circle.

Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity.

Trump floated the idea of ​​purchasing Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, and it never came to fruition.

Greenland Prime Minister Múte B Egede responded this week to Trump’s latest comments: “We are not for sale and we will not be for sale.”

Still, Trump continued to emphasize his public statements online.

On Truth Social, Trump’s account showed an image of an American flag planted in the middle of the Panama Canal.

His second-eldest son, Eric Trump, posted an X image showing the United States adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to an Amazon online shopping cart.

For Trump, promises to use America’s power to his advantage helped fuel his two successful presidential campaigns.

It was a tactic he used during his first presidency, threatening tariffs and the deployment of “armed soldiers” to force Mexico to step up surveillance along its border with the United States.

Looking ahead to his second term, Trump could plan to use a similar playbook once he takes office on January 20.

While it remains to be seen what will happen, Denmark has expressed a willingness to work with his administration.

He also announced a big boost in Defense spending for Greenlandhours after Trump reiterated his desire to buy the Arctic territory.