Trump Pushes for American Expansionism
President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday intensified his push for American expansionism, refusing to rule out using military force to annex Greenland and retake control of the Panama Canal.
In a wide-ranging news conference at Mar-a-Lago—his second since winning the 2024 election—Trump also suggested he could use “economic force” to make Canada the United States’ 51st state.
“You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like—and it would also be much better for national security,” Trump said at his Florida estate.
A Break from Recent Foreign Policy Norms
The imperialistic land grabs Trump is proposing—if executed successfully—would mark the first major changes to the American map since Hawaii’s statehood in 1959. These plans represent a dramatic shift from the foreign policy approaches of recent presidents, both Democratic and Republican. They also come at a time when Western leaders are opposing Russia’s territorial ambitions, including its war in Ukraine.
Military Action on Panama and Greenland
When asked whether he would rule out “military or economic coercion” to achieve his territorial goals, Trump responded emphatically: “No.”
“No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: We need them for economic security,” he added.
Trump has recently hinted at imposing steep tariffs on Denmark if it refuses to cede control of Greenland. He also floated the idea of Greenland voting for independence or statehood within the United States.
“I’m talking about protecting the free world,” Trump asserted.
Trump also criticized Panama’s management of the Panama Canal, saying, “It was built for our military.” He revisited the history of the US-built canal, which opened in 1914 and was handed over to Panama under a 1977 agreement brokered by former President Jimmy Carter.
Criticism of Carter
Trump criticized Carter for the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, calling it a “terrible deal.”
“The Panama Canal is a disgrace, what took place there. Jimmy Carter gave it to them for $1, and they were supposed to treat us well. I thought it was a terrible thing to do,” Trump said.
Pardons, Middle East Threats, and Transition Complaints
Trump pledged to issue “major pardons” for convictions related to the January 6 Capitol attack. He also threatened Hamas, demanding the release of hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel.
“If those hostages aren’t back … by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East,” Trump warned. “It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone.”
Trump criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the presidential transition, accusing it of making the process unnecessarily difficult. He condemned a recent executive action banning offshore oil and gas development in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, calling it a move to sabotage his plans.
Environmental Grievances
Trump renewed his opposition to environmental regulations, including wind energy. He blamed windmills for a rise in whale deaths along New England’s coastlines, claiming, “The windmills are driving the whales crazy, obviously.”
“We’re going to try and have a policy where no windmills are being built,” he stated, adding that they are “the most expensive energy ever” and akin to “dropping garbage in a field.”
Rebranding the Gulf of Mexico
Trump announced his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
“We’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. It’s appropriate,” he said. Following his remarks, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene pledged to introduce legislation supporting the name change.
Praising Judge Cannon’s Decision
Trump praised District Judge Aileen Cannon’s decision to block the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report on federal investigations into Trump.
“Why should he be allowed to write a fake report? That’s great news,” Trump said. He dismissed Smith as “deranged” while hailing Cannon, whom he appointed, as a “brilliant judge with great courage.”
Emirati Investment Announcement
Trump opened the conference by announcing that Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani would invest $20 billion in US data centers, crediting his election win for inspiring the deal. Sajwani, owner of DAMAC Properties, has maintained strong ties with Trump since 2021.
Source – Transcript / ChatGPT