(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.)
Once again, Donald Trump is turning his attention to Greenland, reviving conversations he sparked during his presidency about the possibility of the U.S. purchasing the territory from Denmark. This renewed interest comes as tensions with allied nations are already escalating, even before he officially assumes office on January 20.
In a recent event where he introduced his ambassador to Denmark, Trump asserted, “For the sake of National Security and Freedom globally, the United States believes that ownership and control of Greenland is absolutely essential.”
This latest emphasis on Greenland follows Trump’s recent comments about potentially reclaiming control of the Panama Canal if escalating shipping costs continue to impact U.S. interests. He suggested that intervention might be necessary to tackle the financial pressures surrounding this crucial maritime route that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
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Additionally, Trump has floated the whimsical idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, jokingly dubbing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.” This tongue-in-cheek rhetoric has stirred discussions regarding his approach to international diplomacy.
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, observed that Trump’s provocative stance toward allied nations resembles a negotiation tactic he often employed in business. “By asking for something outlandish, you increase the likelihood of securing something more reasonable,” he explained. Farnsworth is also the author of “Presidential Communication and Character.”
Greenland, recognized as the world’s largest island, holds a strategic position between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The island is largely covered by an ice sheet and maintains a notable U.S. military presence. Since achieving home rule from Denmark in 1979, Greenland’s current leader, Múte Bourup Egede, has made it clear that attempts by Trump to establish U.S. control over the territory are in vain, asserting, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. Our long-standing fight for freedom must not falter.”
In 2019, Trump canceled a planned visit to Denmark after Danish officials dismissed his proposal to buy Greenland. Now, he has reignited the dialogue and has highlighted the Panama Canal as another contentious issue, claiming that the U.S. is being “ripped off” in its dealings regarding the waterway.
“If the moral and legal principles of this generous act of giving are not honored, we will demand the Panama Canal be returned to the United States, fully, swiftly, and without question,” he declared.
In response, Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, stated in a video message, “Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama,” prompting Trump to retort on social media, “We’ll see about that!”
Trump also shared a photo of a U.S. flag in the canal zone with the caption, “Welcome to the United States Canal!” Historically, the U.S. constructed the canal in the early 1900s but handed over control to Panama on December 31, 1999, in accordance with a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter.
The canal has faced operational challenges in 2023 due to drought conditions, which have limited the number of ships able to transit and led to increased fees for those seeking passage.
Trump’s remarks regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal coincide with his recent claim that “Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State,” along with a photo of himself beside a Canadian flag on a mountaintop.
Trudeau has suggested that Trump was joking about annexing Canada, although they recently convened at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss potential trade tariffs impacting Canadian goods.
Farnsworth noted that “Canada is not going to become a U.S. state, but Trump’s comments appear to be aimed at leveraging negotiations and unsettling Canada’s political landscape, particularly in light of its current political climate.” He further explained that this strategy could lead to concessions on matters such as trade and border security.
The same principle applies to Trump’s ambitions concerning Greenland. “What Trump ultimately seeks is a win. Even if the American flag doesn’t fly over Greenland, European leaders might be more inclined to acquiesce to other requests due to the pressure he exerts,” he concluded.
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press Writer Gary Fields in Washington.
