Trump's International Strategy: Greenland, Canada, and the Battle for the Panama Canal

12 Janaury, Kathmandu.

Recently, Donald Trump has frequently discussed his intentions to acquire Greenland from Denmark, reclaim the Panama Canal that was transferred to Panama many years ago, and integrate Canada into the United States. In the weeks leading up to Donald Trump's anticipated return to the White House, his public addresses have largely avoided discussions about appointing Cabinet members or reiterating significant campaign commitments, such as mass deportations or cost reductions.

Instead, Trump, who has previously been critical of U.S. military interventions abroad, is now advocating for an expansion of American territory, even hinting at the potential use of military force if necessary. This strategy has been characterized as his “annexation agenda.”

Recently, Trump has frequently expressed his intentions to assert control over Greenland from Denmark, reclaim the Panama Canal—previously relinquished to Panama—and integrate Canada into the United States.

He has indicated that military action could be a viable option for securing Greenland and the Panama Canal. Additionally, he mentioned plans to apply economic pressure to persuade Canada to join the United States. He also expressed a desire to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Denali, the highest peak in North America.

The Gulf of Mexico, which is bordered by the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Cuba, is jointly managed by these three nations, each overseeing its own territorial waters. This body of water, linked to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, is crucial for trade, teeming with marine biodiversity, and rich in oil reserves.

Denali, standing at 20,310 feet (6,190 meters), is situated in Alaska, within Denali National Park and Preserve. As part of the Alaska Range, it is the tallest mountain in North America and a popular destination for climbers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Leaders from Panama, Denmark, and Canada have all dismissed Trump's proposals, with reactions ranging from a definitive "no" to characterizations of the likelihood as akin to "a snowball’s chance in hell," indicating that it is highly improbable.

Trump's willingness to confront long-standing U.S. allies and make unexpected demands reflects the changes he seeks to implement both domestically and internationally.

Both Democrats and Republicans, including some of Trump’s close associates, have informed NBC News that his recent requests vary in seriousness; some are intended to gain leverage for his initiatives, while others appear to be provocations designed to stir controversy.

Trump's Vision for Greenland: Still Thriving.

Trump has expressed significant interest in Greenland, and sources indicate that he has not abandoned the notion of acquiring the island. During his initial term, he sought to purchase Greenland for strategic defense reasons but was met with rejection.

The island's advantageous position in the Arctic could enhance the U.S. military's capabilities, aid in monitoring potential threats, and offer access to crucial shipping lanes and valuable natural resources as the area becomes increasingly navigable.

On January 7th, Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the former U.S. President, visited Nuuk, the largest city in Greenland, which is home to the majority of the island's approximately 57,000 residents. During his trip, he made a phone call to convey a message to the people of Greenland.

Trump Evaluates Canal Strategy to Mitigate China's Influence.

Trump may have an interest in acquiring the Panama Canal, viewing it as a means to exert economic pressure.

For many years, he has maintained that President Jimmy Carter erred in returning the canal to Panama. Currently, Trump is concentrating on counteracting China's expanding influence in the region.

Sources close to the matter indicate that Trump's associates have provided him with information suggesting that China is enhancing its presence in the Western Hemisphere. They have even alleged that Panama is prioritizing Chinese shipping interests over those of the United States. Additionally, one insider mentioned that Trump's discussions about reclaiming the canal could be a strategy to encourage Panama to offer more favorable conditions for American shipments.

Diplomacy or Drama ? Analyzing Trump's International Negotiation Strategies.

In relation to Canada, an individual acquainted with Trump's perspective indicated that his remarks are merely a jest, emphasizing that he does not genuinely intend to incorporate Canada into the United States. This individual noted that Trump believes his humor could sway policies in his favor and assist in negotiations.

Recently, Canadian officials announced an initiative to increase spending on border security, a significant issue that was highlighted during the previous Republican presidential campaign.

A senior aide to a Republican senator remarked, “I view these as distinct matters.” The aide elaborated that the concepts of reclaiming the Panama Canal and purchasing Greenland are “more substantial,” particularly in light of Donald Trump Jr.'s recent visit to Greenland.

“I don’t perceive the comments about Canada as serious,” the aide stated. “He’s merely joking about Prime Minister JustinTrudeau.”

Another senior aide to a Republican senator commented on the overall notion, saying, “I’m not taking it seriously, but we’ll see how it unfolds.”

Some of Trump’s initial selections for ambassadors included Canada, Denmark, and Panama. When announcing the ambassadors for Denmark and Panama, he specifically referenced Greenland and the Panama Canal. John D. Feeley, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Panama under both Obama and Trump before resigning due to policy disagreements, expressed that Trump’s public stance would complicate matters for the new ambassadors.

Feeley stated that if Trump attempts to act on his threats regarding Panama, Canada, and Greenland, it would pose a challenging situation for any ambassador, who would need to convey the difficult message that their leader intends to seize another nation’s territory.

China's Engagement with Greenland: An Emerging Arena in International Rivalry.

Trump and his supporters contend that the United States should assert control over Greenland for reasons of national security. Recently, Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. "must own and control Greenland."

Greenland has been under Danish sovereignty since the 14th century and was formally incorporated into Denmark's constitution in 1953. In 1979, it gained self-governing status, with its inhabitants recognized as full Danish citizens.

Geographically, Greenland is closer to New York than to Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, and the U.S. held temporary control over the island during World War II. It hosts a significant U.S. Air Force base and possesses valuable mineral resources. In recent years, China has sought to expand its influence in the region.

Carla Sands, who served as Trump's ambassador to Denmark, stated that the Danish government lacks the capacity to adequately defend Greenland. She noted that China's attempts to strengthen ties with Greenland have raised alarms among U.S. officials.

"We have been close partners and allies with Denmark for 200 years," she remarked. "They were one of the founding members of NATO, and we share a strong friendship. However, even the best of friends sometimes need to engage in tough discussions." One pressing question raised was, "How can you protect Greenland, which is part of your kingdom, if you cannot fully defend Denmark itself?"

Sands clarified that while Denmark is responsible for Greenland's defense and foreign policy, the territory manages its internal affairs, which leaves it susceptible to negative external influences as it prioritizes economic development.

Rufus Gifford, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark during the Obama administration and is currently the finance chair for Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, argued that the notion of the U.S. taking control of Greenland is overly simplistic. He emphasized that no Danish prime minister could afford to lose Greenland, as it would severely undermine their credibility domestically.

Gifford articulated that no Danish prime minister could risk losing Greenland, as such a loss would lead to ridicule domestically and severely damage their standing. He also pointed out that the people of Greenland may be reluctant to relinquish their unique position within Danish society.

He further noted that any attempt by a nation to invade or seize Greenland would activate NATO’s Article Five, obligating all member states, including the United States, to unite in its defense, as they have committed to mutual protection in the event of an attack.

Gifford acknowledged valid concerns regarding China's growing influence in Greenland, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. However, he remarked that the only justification for asserting that Greenland should be under U.S. control for national security would be if the U.S. intended to withdraw from NATO, a notion he found even more troubling.

Panama Canal Dispute: The Struggle for Influence Between the U.S. and China.

Trump has raised concerns regarding the high fees imposed on U.S. vessels using the Panama Canal, suggesting that Chinese vessels receive preferential treatment. He also reiterated his belief that former President Carter erred in agreeing to treaties that transferred control of the canal to Panama.

A Hong Kong-based company operates two of the five ports associated with the Panama Canal. Following the enactment of China's national security law in 2020, the country has intensified its influence over Hong Kong.

In December, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino asserted that “every part of the canal belongs to Panama and will always remain that way,” highlighting the significance of every square meter. He also refuted claims that China holds any control or influence over the canal, which is overseen by the Panama Canal Authority.

John D. Feeley, the former U.S. ambassador to Panama, commented that the president seems to believe he can exert pressure on Panama to reclaim the canal, but that is unlikely to occur. In political terms, he has inadvertently strengthened support for Mulino, who is still relatively new in his presidency, among the 4.3 million residents of Panama.

Trump's Plans for Annexation: Audacious and Contentious.

Trump has been ridiculing the Canadian government for several weeks following his meeting with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where they discussed the potential implementation of a 25% tariff on Canadian imports to the U.S.

He referred to Trudeau, who announced his resignation this week, as “Gov. Trudeau” and humorously suggested that Canadians might be eager to join the U.S. as its 51st state.

Additionally, he proposed that Wayne Gretzky, the renowned Canadian hockey icon who has been spotted at Mar-a-Lago, should consider running for the position of prime minister in Canada.

During a press conference on January 7th, Trump stated that he would leverage “economic power” to unify Canada and the United States. He described the northern border as an “artificial line” and expressed frustration over the “hundreds of billions of dollars” the U.S. allocates annually to support Canada. He emphasized Canada’s role as a NATO ally and its collaboration with the U.S. through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

In reaction to Trump’s comments, Trudeau took to X to assert, “Canada will never become part of the United States. There’s no chance of that happening.”

John Bolton, who served as the U.S. National Security Advisor during Trump's administration from April 2018 to September 2019, shared his thoughts on Trump's comments regarding Canada. He suggested that these remarks were likely spontaneous ideas conceived during casual conversations at Mar-a-Lago, intended to provoke Justin Trudeau. "This is simply trolling," Bolton stated. "Trump is aware that referring to Trudeau as 'Gov. Trudeau' or joking about Canada being the 51st state irritates him. There’s probably not much more to it than that."

Bolton emphasized that Trump's interest in acquiring foreign territories should not be interpreted as a coherent strategic initiative for the United States.

He further asserted that Trump's statements lack substantial thought or strategy. "These are just random notions that occurred to him this week," he noted.

Elon Musk, the wealthiest individual globally and a staunch Trump supporter, has been advocating for leadership changes in the United Kingdom and Germany. Concurrently, Trump is exerting significant pressure on some of America's closest allies even before officially taking office. Trudeau's resignation was partially attributed to Trump's demands for substantial changes, including proposals for imposing heavy tariffs.

Gifford, who held the position of ambassador to Denmark during the Obama administration and is currently involved with Kamala Harris’s campaign, suggested that one could argue Trump effectively ousted Justin Trudeau from power. He further noted that Elon Musk appears to be attempting a similar influence in the U.K. and Germany. Gifford clarified that this situation transcends typical diplomatic pressure; it resembles a concerted effort to significantly weaken some of America’s key allies.

Recently, conservative media outlets have been vocally endorsing Trump’s ambitions for annexation. On Fox News, prominent host Sean Hannity characterized it as a clever and strategic initiative. Additionally, the New York Post, a publication frequently commended by Trump, showcased the “Donroe Doctrine” on its cover this Wednesday. This phrase is a modern reinterpretation of the historic Monroe Doctrine, which was a 19th-century U.S. policy opposing European interference in the Americas and asserting American influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Republican members of Congress are actively drafting legislation to advance Trump's agenda. Representative Dusty Johnson from South Dakota plans to introduce a bill on Thursday that would authorize Trump to initiate discussions aimed at reclaiming the Panama Canal. In addition, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia announced her intention to propose a bill in the House shortly after Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

According to a source familiar with the discussions, Trump first brought up the idea of renaming the Gulf of Mexico last month. The president-elect appears to be quite invested in this concept, although those around him believe he may lack the authority to implement it.

On the other hand, the source indicated that Trump is genuinely interested in restoring the name Denali to Mount McKinley. Unlike the Gulf of Mexico proposal, this name change falls within the jurisdiction of the U.S. government. In 2015, President Obama officially reverted the name from Mount McKinley to Denali, which reflects its original designation.
Democrats have expressed a range of responses to Trump's agenda. On Tuesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis shared on X (formerly Twitter) that he would be open to the idea of welcoming Greenland as the 53rd state, but only after Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., achieve statehood. In a separate statement on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer from New York indicated he might be willing to collaborate with Trump on renaming the Gulf of Mexico, provided that Trump first agrees to develop a genuine plan aimed at reducing costs for American citizens.

As Democrats navigate the prospect of a second Trump administration, a Pennsylvania Democrat raised concerns that the success of Trump's initiatives could negatively impact the party's prospects in upcoming elections.

“If Donald Trump were to successfully acquire Greenland and rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America,” the individual remarked, “millions of voters might think, ‘At least he accomplished something. I’m not even sure what the Democrats are doing.’”