As usual, it was difficult to distinguish between real announcements and exaggerations in the Republican’s resounding declarations.
Asked if he could guarantee that he would not use armed forces to annex the Panama Canal, a vital artery of global shipping, and Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Donald Trump replied: “I I can’t assure you of either of them.”
The president-elect has already stated on several occasions that he wants to take back the Panama Canal, built by the United States and inaugurated in 1914, if the price of tolls for American ships is not reduced.
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“Economic strength”
He again castigated on Tuesday the agreement made in 1977 by then-President Jimmy Carter, which resulted in a transfer of control of the canal to Panama in 1999.
“They are not treating us fairly. They are charging our ships more than other countries’ ships,” he said.
“They make fun of us because they think we’re stupid. But we’re not stupid anymore,” Donald Trump said.
Just before Christmas, the president-elect also judged that control of Greenland was “an absolute necessity” for “national security and freedom around the world”.
On Tuesday, he urged Denmark to “give up” on this autonomous territory.
The president-elect raised the subject when his son, Donald Trump Jr., arrived in Greenland for a private visit as a “tourist”, saying when he got off the plane that he had not planned any official meetings.
Donald Trump also threatened to use “economic force” against Canada, this northern ally “subsidized” by the United States for its protection, according to him.
Shortly after the announcement of the resignation on Monday of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump estimated that Canada should “merge” with the United States, a remark that annoys the northern neighbor.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly responded that Canada would “never back down from threats,” while Justin Trudeau added: “Never, ever, will Canada be part of the United States.”
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“Situation difficile”
The Republican billionaire also relaunched his accusations against NATO. The former and future American president makes no secret of the little regard he has for the Atlantic Alliance, a pillar of security in Europe since the Second World War, repeatedly repeating that its members do not pay enough in exchange for the protection of the United States.
For Donald Trump, member states must increase their defense budget to 5% of their GDP, compared to the 2% currently required.
“They can all afford it,” he added.
In addition to his international aims, Donald Trump raised several national subjects during the press conference, protesting in particular against the “instrumentalization of justice” against him, according to him.
He also claimed to “inherit a difficult situation from the outgoing administration” of Democrat Joe Biden, who “is doing everything to make it even more difficult”.
Another shocking announcement, a priori more symbolic: Donald Trump affirmed that upon his return to the White House on January 20, the United States would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America”.
Before castigating Mexico, which “must stop letting millions of people pour into our country” – in reference to the crossing of the southern border by thousands of illegal migrants.
Donald Trump also attacked offshore wind turbines, “which drive whales crazy”, and even electric heating. According to him, the heat from gas heating is “much better” and does not cause “itching”.
