Why did Trump float takeovers of Greenland and the Panama Canal?

President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of isolating the US from foreign conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, increasing tariffs on foreign trade partners, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing.

But in recent days he has hinted at an external threat to his foreign policy.

At first, he joked that Canada is another country in the US. Since then, he has threatened return to the Panama Canal. He reiterated the desire from his first time to have an autonomous Danish part of Greenland, which it is not for sale.

The US cannot control all these areas. But the claims may indicate that Trump’s “America First” vision includes shifting power beyond its limits to US trade and national security goals.

On Sunday, Trump told a rally in Arizona that Panama was charging US ships “ridiculous, unfair” fees to use its canal.

After taking responsibility for the construction of the canal in the early 20th century, the US turned over all power to Panama in the 1970s through a treaty. But this week, Trump said if the “ripping” didn’t stop, he wanted the canal returned to the US – though he didn’t specify how.

Trump added that he did not want the Panama Canal to “fall into the wrong hands” and mentioned China, which has a strong interest in the waterway.

“There is a real U.S. national security interest … in maintaining neutrality,” Will Freeman, fellow for Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s statement.

“Trump’s words often touch on that.”

China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal after the US, according to the data. It also has the largest financial resources in the country.

In 2017, Panama cut ties with Taiwan and recognized that it is part of China, a major victory for Beijing.

The Panama Canal is not only important for US trade in the Pacific, Mr Freeman said – in the event of any military conflict with China, it would need to move US ships and other goods.

He also cited Trump’s frequent comments about unfair treatment of US trading partners, as well as the president-elect’s promise to sharply increase tariffs on foreign goods, particularly from China.

Trump’s complaints about shipping charges appear to reflect his views on trade, Freeman said.

While the claims may be “compelling”, said Mr Freeman, it remains to be seen “whether the canal authorities will lower tariffs on US goods in response to the threat”.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has issued a statement saying that the canal and the surrounding area belong to his country – and it will.

Over the weekend, Mr Trump said in a press release that the US “considers the ownership and control of Greenland very important” for reasons of national security and international freedom.

The US maintains the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. The region is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and is a good trading platform as international powers seek to expand their reach into the Arctic Circle.

Russia, in particular, sees the region as a good opportunity.

Trump floated the idea of ​​buying Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, and it didn’t come to fruition.

The Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte B Egede, responded to Trump’s recent comments this week: “We are not selling and we will not sell.”

However, Trump continued to emphasize his comments publicly online.

On Truth Social, Trump’s account posted a photo of an American flag planted in the middle of the Panama Canal.

His second eldest son, Eric Trump, posted a photo on X that shows the US adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to Amazon’s online shopping cart.

For Trump, promising to use American power to his advantage helped fuel his two successful presidential campaigns.

It was a strategy he used during his first presidency, threatening tariffs and sending “armed troops” to lead Mexico to increase enforcement along its US border.

By his second term, Trump may be planning to use a similar book once he takes office on January 20.

Although it remains to be seen what will happen, Denmark has shown a willingness to work with its administration.

It also announced a significant increase in the defense costs in GreenlandA few hours later Trump repeated his desire to buy the Arctic region.