"China should not be allowed to control the Panama Canal"
On January 7, US President-elect Donald Trump held a press conference at his private residence Mar-a-Lago. At the press conference, Mr. Trump said that the Panama Canal, which was built by the US, is a strategic asset and should not be in the hands of China.
“The Panama Canal is our economic and military lifeline. We gave it to Panama, but now China is running it. This is unacceptable,” he stressed.
Panama took control of the canal in 1999 under an agreement between former US President Jimmy Carter and the Panamanian government. However, Mr Trump has accused China of using the canal as a strategic tool, although Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has denied the claim, insisting that “there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal”.
"Greenland is key to national security"
Also at the press conference, Mr. Trump called on Denmark to “cede Greenland” for the benefit of the “free world.” He argued that the island’s strategic location was necessary to counter the military presence of Russia and China in the Arctic.
“Greenland needs to be ours. This is about protecting the free world. I’m not going to have Russian and Chinese ships hanging around,” Trump said.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, was a target for Mr Trump during his first term, when he proposed buying the island but was flatly rejected. This time, he has not ruled out using economic or diplomatic pressure to achieve his goal.
"Incorporate Canada into the 51st state of the United States"
Mr Trump has raised eyebrows by proposing to annex Canada, while warning of high tariffs if the neighboring country does not cooperate. He has argued that Canada would benefit from annexation, including lower taxes, the removal of trade barriers and increased security in the face of threats from Russia and China.
“If Canada became part of the United States, no more tariffs, no more uncertainty. They would be completely safe from the dangers of Russian and Chinese ships,” Trump wrote on social media after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation.
However, Mr. Trudeau quickly responded, declaring on social media: “There is no way Canada will ever become part of the United States, not even in our dreams.” Mr. Trudeau also affirmed that the economic and security partnership between the two countries has brought great benefits without the need for annexation.
International reaction
International observers say Trump’s remarks signal a controversial foreign policy focused on reasserting America’s global leadership through bold measures. However, Trump’s plan faces many challenges.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly criticized Mr Trump’s statements, saying they showed “a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada strong”. “We will never back down in the face of threats,” she said.
Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed that Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said his government had not had formal contact with Mr Trump but reiterated previous comments by Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino that the canal would remain in Panamanian hands.
“Our sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable and is part of our irreversible history of struggle and conquest,” AP quoted Mr. Martinez-Acha as saying.
