In a contentious and wide-ranging press conference, President-elect Donald J. Trump refused to reveal his hand. When asked about using the military economic pressure to gain control over the Panama Canal or pursue the purchase of Greenland from Denmark, the president-elect said that all options were available. His remarks came during a heated hour-long session with reporters.
Reporter: Can you assure the world that as you try to get control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, that you won’t use military or economic coercion?
Trump: “No.” pic.twitter.com/JlvCxi9jtQ
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 7, 2025
Trump emphasized the historical significance of the United States’ role in constructing the Panama Canal, falsely claiming that China currently controls its operations. When asked directly whether he would consider military intervention to reclaim the canal, Trump responded, “No, I can’t guarantee anything on that front. The canal remains vital for our economic and military security, and it was built for our military,” reported The New York Times.
Regarding Greenland, Trump similarly refused to dismiss the possibility of applying economic or military pressure on Denmark. He questioned the legitimacy of Denmark’s control over the island and hinted at imposing steep tariffs on Danish exports if the territory was not sold to the United States.
These statements have raised immediate concerns among U.S. allies. Both Panama and Denmark maintain firm stances on their sovereignty, and Trump’s comments have introduced new uncertainties into diplomatic relations. Canada also found itself drawn into the discussion, with Trump implying that Canada could face economic consequences if it fails to align more closely with U.S. strategic interests.
The incoming president’s press conference came as Donald Trump, Jr. flew to Greenland. ABC News noted that the president’s son emphasized “that the trip is just a personal one, indicating he is not meeting with government officials.”
The legal and diplomatic hurdles to U.S. control over Greenland and the Panama Canal are significant, with long-standing international treaties and agreements standing in the way. However, Trump’s repeated emphasis on these objectives suggests they are not merely offhand remarks but potential policy priorities.
CNN explained what’s been motivating Trump’s maneuvering. “Greenland is the world’s largest island and home to more than 56,000 people. A former Danish colony and now an autonomous territory of Denmark, it occupies a unique geopolitical position, sitting between the US and Europe. Its capital city Nuuk is closer to New York than it is to Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.
It’s long been seen as key for US security, especially to repel a potential attack from Russia, said Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies. The Northwest Passage shipping lane runs along its coast and the island is part of the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, a strategic maritime region.
What might be even more appealing to Trump, however, is Greenland’s rich deposits of natural resources, said Klaus Dodds, professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London.
These include oil and gas, as well as the rare earth metals in high demand for the electric cars and wind turbines of the green transition, as well as for manufacturing military equipment.”
Trump isn’t the first U.S. president to propose buying Greenland. In 1867, President Andrew Johnson considered acquiring the island after purchasing Alaska. Decades later, at the end of World War II, President Harry Truman’s administration reportedly offered Denmark $100 million for Greenland, as revealed by Danish media.
