President-elect Donald Trump’s goal was to isolate the United States from foreign conflicts such as the Ukraine war, increase tariffs on foreign trade partners and rebuild domestic production.
But in recent days he has proposed a more outwardly aggressive approach to his foreign policy.
At first he joked about Canada being an additional US state. He has been threatening to do so ever since Retake control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated the desire from his first term to own the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland is not for sale.
It is unlikely that the US will take control of any of these regions. But these statements may suggest that Trump’s “America First” vision is to flex the superpower’s power beyond its borders for U.S. trade and national security interests.
On Sunday, Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona that Panama was charging U.S. ships “ridiculous, highly unfair” fees to use its namesake canal.
After the United States took over construction of the canal at the beginning of the 20th century, it handed over complete control to Panama by treaty in the 1970s. But this week Trump said if the “rip-off” doesn’t stop he would demand the canal be returned to the US – but he didn’t say how.
Trump added that he didn’t want the Panama Canal to “fall into the wrong hands,” citing China in particular, which has significant interests in the waterway.
“There is a real U.S. national security interest … in controlling its neutrality,” Will Freeman, a Latin American studies fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s comments.
“Trump’s statement is mostly about that.”
According to data, China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal after the United States. There are also major economic investments in the country.
In 2017 Panama has severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognized it as part of China, a major victory for Beijing.
The Panama Canal is not only critical for U.S. trade in the Pacific, Freeman said — in the event of a military conflict with China, it would also be necessary for the transport of U.S. ships and other assets.
He also pointed to Trump’s frequent comments about unfair treatment of the U.S. by trading partners, as well as the president-elect’s promise to significantly increase tariffs on foreign goods, particularly those from China.
Trump’s complaints about shipping costs seemed to reflect his views on trade, Mr. Freeman said.
While the statements could be “coercive,” Mr. Freeman said, it remains to be seen “whether the canal authorities will reduce rates on U.S. cargo in response to the threat.”
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said in a statement that the canal and surrounding areas belonged to his country – and would remain so.
Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the US “feels that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for reasons of national security and global freedom.”
The USA maintains the Pituffik space base in Greenland. The area is rich in natural resources, including rare earths and oil, and is strategically located for trade as world powers seek to expand their reach in the Arctic Circle.
Russia in particular sees a strategic opportunity in the region.
Trump floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019 during his first term as president, but it never came to fruition.
Greenland Prime Minister Múte B. Egede responded to Trump’s recent comments this week: “We are not for sale and will not be for sale.”
Nevertheless, Trump continued to emphasize his public statements online.
On Truth Social, Trump’s account featured an image of an American flag being planted in the middle of the Panama Canal.
His second eldest son, Eric Trump, posted an image on X showing the US putting Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada into 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 pressure Mexico into increasing enforcement efforts along its U.S. border.
As he begins his second term, Trump may plan to use a similar scheme after he takes office on January 20.
While it remains to be seen what will happen, Denmark has expressed its willingness to work with its government.
A huge increase was also announced Defense spending for GreenlandHours after Trump reiterated his desire to buy the Arctic territory.
