US President-elect Donald Trump has presented an aggressive foreign policy agenda before his January 20th inauguration, refusing to rule out military or economic action in pursuit of acquiring the Panama Canal and Greenland. Trump’s remarks on Tuesday drew controversy as he also suggested turning Canada into a US state and demanded increased defense spending from NATO allies.
Expansionist Remarks Draw Criticism
Trump’s bellicose rhetoric over US territorial ambitions has raised eyebrows. Trump said he could not rule out coercive tactics in getting the Panama Canal and Greenland, saying that these were of utmost importance to US economic security. He discussed US military support for Canada and stated that the US would impose tariffs on Denmark if it spurned his Greenland offer. Despite Denmark’s stance that Greenland is not for sale, Trump remarks have stirred up tensions with allies.
NATO Spending and Middle East Concerns
In other news, he reiterated his insistence that NATO partners should raise defense spending to 5% of GDP, double the current minimum target of 2%. The remarks sounded much like past laments over how NATO members weren’t pulling their weight. The president also continued his unyielding approach on Middle Eastern diplomacy, warning, “All hell will break loose” in the Middle East unless Hamas releases its Israeli hostages.
Canada and Panama Respond
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly quickly denounced Trump’s remarks, saying the country was strong and resilient in the face of threats. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino also ruled out any possibility of the United States taking back control of the Panama Canal, which the United States had transferred to Panama in 1999.
Trump’s Continuing Grievances
The press conference, held at his Mar-a-Lago estate, also included Trump complaining about his criminal indictments, with some familiar themes from his campaign re-emerging.
