Newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump continues to shock the world as he awaits his formal inauguration. Yesterday, he declared his desire for control over Panama, part of Denmark (Greenland), and Canada. He has not ruled out the use of military force to achieve some of his goals.
Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Vladimir Putin spent considerable time preparing domestic and international audiences for the idea that Russia had territorial claims over neighboring states. He twisted history to suit his narrative, arguing that Moscow had historical and other rights to these territories. According to him, it was his duty to correct historical injustices and restore security to Russia.
Reactions to Putin’s rhetoric were swift and harsh, coming from all corners of the globe. When the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, much of the world condemned the act on various international platforms. The war continues to this day, with the Kremlin adamant in its argument that it has the right to carve up neighboring states.
Trump's Confidence
Yesterday, Trump picked up where Putin left off before deploying troops to Ukraine. Trump believes that the United States should claim Greenland—an autonomous territory under Denmark, a NATO ally. He also argues that the Panama Canal should return to U.S. military control and that Canada should consider becoming a new U.S. state.
Unlike Putin, who delivered long-winded historical justifications for altering internationally recognized borders, Trump is more pragmatic, offering no deeper rationale. Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and addressing journalists’ questions about his intentions for Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump once again shocked the public.
“Can you guarantee the world that you won’t use economic or military force to take control of these areas?” a journalist asked. “No,” Trump replied bluntly before continuing the conversation.
“Could you elaborate on your plan? Will you negotiate new agreements? Will you ask Canadians to hold a vote? What’s your strategy?” the journalist pressed. “I can’t guarantee anything,” Trump said. “You’re talking about Panama and Greenland. I can’t guarantee for them. But I can say we need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for the military,” he added.
When asked whether he ruled out the use of military force, Trump said, “I won’t commit to that. Maybe we’ll have to take action. The Panama Canal is vital to our country. It’s currently managed by China. We gave the Panama Canal back to Panama; we didn’t give it to China,” Trump emphasized.
Trump's Logic
Why does Trump believe he should focus on Greenland, Panama, and neighboring Canada? What is their “offense” against the new U.S. administration? The simplest answer is that these three territories are doing things Trump doesn’t like.
In the case of Greenland, it’s about access to natural gas, oil, and other resources. Additionally, Greenland’s strategic location is crucial in the fight for the Arctic and the sea routes opening up due to melting ice. Militarily, control of Greenland offers a significant advantage in a nuclear standoff, as most missiles between the U.S. and Russia would be launched over Greenland—the shortest route between the two nations.
Regarding Panama, Trump is displeased that the Panama Canal, vital for global and American trade, is no longer under Washington’s control. Panama became independent in 1903 when Washington carved it out of Colombia, and the canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans was constructed between 1904 and 1914. In 1999, the U.S. handed control of the canal back to Panama. Recently, China’s growing influence in Panama and other Central American countries has evidently alarmed Trump.
Canada, the United States’ largest trading partner, has drawn Trump’s ire due to its substantial trade surplus. Over the past two years, Canada’s trade surplus with the U.S. has reached approximately $120 billion. Furthermore, Canada’s strategic importance is amplified by its proximity to Greenland in military matters. Trump recently suggested Canada should join the United States, referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “Governor of the Great State of Canada.”
The World of Realpolitik
In a short time, Trump has undermined many principles championed by the current president, Joseph Biden. While Biden has emphasized sovereignty and international law in cases like Ukraine, Trump’s logic dismisses these principles when it comes to Panama and Denmark.
Denmark and Greenland’s government have outright rejected any discussions about transferring Greenland to the United States, as they did when Trump previously proposed purchasing the territory. Similarly, the Panamanian government has dismissed any possibility of relinquishing control of the canal.
However, Trump remains indifferent to the interests of others, confident in the power of his country. During his Mar-a-Lago address, he even suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the American Gulf, effectively erasing historical context.
It’s worth recalling that in 2019, Trump canceled a visit to Denmark because the Danes refused to discuss selling Greenland. The U.S. had previously offered to buy Greenland in 1946. During the Cold War, the U.S. military established a presence on Greenland, but the island remained part of Denmark.
In other words, the U.S. plans to claim Greenland predates Trump, as it is a strategically vital island for America’s defense strategy. In the most recent election, certain factions close to the military and arms manufacturers supported Trump, aiding his victory.
This challenges the narrative that Trump is a “rogue” figure battling the establishment. Instead, he appears to be an integral part of it. This conclusion is critical for those who argue that Trump is a “man of peace” and “didn’t start any wars,” despite having attacked Syria, assassinated Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq, and exposed U.S. bases in Iraq to Iranian missile strikes.
Less than two weeks before taking office, Trump has already signaled his intention to sideline international law and disregard the interests of other nations. During his first term, many looked to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and Vice President Mike Pence to act as checks on his presidential power. In his upcoming term, however, these restraints may prove weaker, with an increasing number of Trump loyalists now holding key positions of influence.
This article was originally published on the news portal nap.ba.
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