Donald Trump refused Tuesday, January 7, to rule out the idea of using force to annex the Panama Canal and Greenland, also threatening to use force. “economic strength” against Canada.
“I can’t assure you about either of them.”declared the president-elect, when asked about a possible use of armed forces to annex the canal, a vital artery of global maritime transport, and Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
During a provocative press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence, Donald Trump added that the two were “very important for economic security” of the United States.
The future American president also threatened to use “economic strength” against Canada, after having affirmed the day before that it was in the interest of this ally of the United States to become the “51st State” American.
“No, economic strength”responded the president-elect to the question of whether he also considered using the armed forces to annex Canada, saying that this neighbor was “subsidized” by the United States for its protection.
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.
Threats already made in the past
Donald Trump 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. 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.
Just before Christmas, Donald Trump also judged that “For national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity”.
The president-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr, also arrived in Greenland on Tuesday for a private visit, as “tourist” claiming not to have planned any official meetings.
Another shock announcement from the president-elect during his press conference, but with surely more innocuous consequences: 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 in “Gulf of America”.
“The Gulf of America, what a pretty name”he exclaimed, 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.
