Freewheeling Trump sets out US territorial ambitions

Donald Trump stirred controversy Tuesday with provocative remarks threatening military action over the Panama Canal and economic measures against Canada, prompting sharp rebukes from both nations.

Speaking from his Florida home after Congress certified his election win, the president-elect announced a $20 billion investment from the UAE into US technology but soon veered into campaign-style rhetoric, revisiting familiar themes from his 2024 bid.

"Since our win, the whole world sees America differently. Leaders are calling, thanking me," Trump declared while outlining his plans for the next four years.

He floated renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" and renewed threats of heavy tariffs on Mexico if illegal border crossings continue. Trump also raised the idea of seizing Greenland and the Panama Canal by force, sharply criticizing former President Jimmy Carter for ceding the canal's control decades ago.

Asked if he would use military power against Canada, Trump dismissed the notion but hinted at leveraging "economic force," suggesting the US-Canada border is an unnecessary division that compromises national security.

While Trump's statements often blur the line between humor and policy, they marked an escalation in his rhetoric on territorial expansion, drawing swift reactions from US allies.

“There’s a snowball’s chance in hell Canada merges with the US,” retorted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha declared the canal's sovereignty “non-negotiable,” refuting Trump’s claim that Chinese soldiers control the vital waterway. "Only Panamanians operate the canal, and that’s how it will remain," he said.

Built by the US and transferred to Panama 25 years ago, the canal remains a strategic asset for the Central American nation, whose leaders have resisted any renegotiation of its control.

Trump also revived his controversial idea of purchasing Greenland, framing the autonomous Danish territory as a critical piece in Arctic geopolitics. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed the notion, remarking she couldn’t “imagine such a plan ever taking shape.”

In the same speech, Trump lambasted President Joe Biden’s foreign policy, criticizing the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, while falsely claiming America saw “no wars” during his first term. He accused Biden’s administration of undermining the upcoming transition, calling it a “deliberate obstruction.”

Trump, who has yet to acknowledge his 2020 loss, spent much of the address targeting Biden, alleging baselessly that the legal challenges against him were politically motivated and vowing to undo Biden-era offshore drilling bans.

Later that evening, Trump amplified his expansionist vision online, sharing memes depicting Canada absorbed into the United States, further fueling debate over his remarks.

This article was reported by journalist Jimmy.