Trump does not rule out using the US military to control the Panama Canal and Greenland

president-elect donald trump On Tuesday he refused to rule out using the US military to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, expanding on a series of recent comments he made about acquiring more territory for the United States during his second term.

“We need them for economic security,” Trump said of both the Central American trade route and the autonomous territory of Denmark, during a lengthy press conference at his Florida home, Mar-a-Lago.

A reporter asked Trump if he could assure the public that he would not use military or economic coercion in the pursuit of either territory.

“No, I can’t assure you of either,” the president-elect responded.

“The Panama Canal was built for our military. I’m not going to commit to that, no… You may have to do something,” he said.

Trump also expressed concern and frustration over China’s activity in both the Panama Canal and Greenland, sending a possible signal to the powerful American adversary about his own efforts to extend his global reach.

The channel “is being operated by China,” he said. “We didn’t give it to China and they have abused it.”

At the same press conference, Trump announced that his administration would seek to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”

“What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate,” he said.

He rich in oil body of water is the the ninth largest in the worldand has been identified on maps as the Gulf of Mexico. since the year 1500.

Since winning the November presidential election, Trump has repeatedly mulled the annexation of territories, especially the Panama Canal. He has criticized former President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, for negotiating the treaty that ultimately gave Panama full control of the 51-mile waterway.

The Republican, who will take office in less than two weeks, has also expressed interest in making Canada the “51st State.”

But he said Tuesday that he was considering using only economic, and not military, pressure on the United States’ ally and main trading partner.

“That would be really important,” he said of Canada’s absorption into the United States. “If we get rid of that artificially drawn line and see what it looks like, it would be much better for national security as well.”

Trump complained about the US trade deficit with Canada, saying: “It’s fine to have it if you’re a state, but if you’re another country, we don’t want to have it.”

Trump has threatened to impose great rates on imports from Canada, the second business partner with the united states

But there would be “no tariffs” on Canada if it became a U.S. state, Trump said in a statement. Social Truth post on Monday. He posted that comment after embattled Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will resign as leader of the country.

Trump’s expansionist comments have sometimes been met with derision.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Monday jokingly issued a counteroffer for Canada will buy Alaska and other US states before concluding: “It’s not realistic.”

And Trudeau wrote in X on Tuesday afternoon, “There is not the slightest chance of Canada becoming part of the United States.”

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede said flatly in December that the island is “not for sale and will never be for sale.”

Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., landed in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Tuesday, reportedly to create media content.

His father, in a Social Truth Posting The day before, he said Trump Jr. was there to “visit some of the most magnificent areas and places.”

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit greatly by becoming part of our nation,” Trump wrote.