Why did Trump announce the seizure of Greenland and the Panama Canal?

President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of isolating the US from foreign conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, raising tariffs on foreign trading partners and restoring domestic manufacturing.

But in recent days, he has suggested a more outwardly aggressive approach to his foreign policy.

At first he joked that Canada was an additional state of the United States. Since then he has threatened regain control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated his desire from his first term to own the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, which not for sale.

The US is unlikely to take control of any of these regions. But the statements may suggest that Trump’s “America First” vision includes the superpower working beyond its borders in the interests of U.S. trade and national security.

On Sunday, Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona that Panama was charging US ships “ridiculous, very unfair” tolls to use its canal of the same name.

After assuming responsibility for the construction of the canal in the early 20th century, the US transferred full control to Panama in the 1970s through a treaty. But Trump said this week that if the “looting” did not stop, he would demand the return of the US channel, but did not specify how.

Trump added that he did not want the Panama Canal to “fall into the wrong hands” and specifically mentioned China, which has significant interests in the waterway.

“There is a real U.S. national security interest … in monitoring its neutrality,” Will Freeman, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations’ Latin American Studies office, said of Trump’s remarks.

“Trump’s statement is basically about that.”

According to the data, China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal after the United States. It also has a large economic investment in the country.

In 2017 Panama severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recognized it as part of China, which was a major victory for Beijing.

The Panama Canal is needed not only for US trade in the Pacific, Mr Freeman said – in the event of any military conflict with China, it will be needed to move US ships and other assets.

He also pointed to Trump’s frequent comments about the unfair treatment of US trading partners, as well as the president-elect’s promise to sharply increase tariffs on foreign goods, especially from China.

Trump’s complaints about shipping fees appear to reflect his views on trade, Mr. Freeman said.

While the announcements could be “coercive,” Mr. Freeman said, it remains to be seen “whether the canal authorities will reduce tolls on American cargoes in response to the threat.”

Panamanian President José Raúl Molina issued a statement saying that the canal and the surrounding area belong to his country and will remain so.

Over the weekend, Trump said on social media that the US “feels that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity” for reasons of national security and global freedom.

The US maintains the Pitufik space base in Greenland. The territory is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and is a strategic location for trade as world powers seek to expand their reach beyond the Arctic Circle.

Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity.

Trump floated the idea of ​​buying Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, but it never materialized.

Prime Minister of Greenland Mute B. Egede responded to Trump’s latest comments this week: “We are not for sale and we will not be for sale.”

However, Trump continued to focus on his public statements online.

Truth Social posted an image of an American flag planted in the middle of the Panama Canal on Trump’s account.

His second eldest son, Eric Trump, posted an image on X showing the US adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to Amazon’s shopping cart.

For Trump, promises to use America’s power to his advantage helped carry his two successful presidential campaigns.

It was a tactic he used during his first presidency, threatening tariffs and deploying “armed soldiers” to force Mexico to tighten controls along its border with the US.

Heading into his second term, Trump could plan to use a similar playbook once he takes office on January 20.

While it remains to be seen what will happen, Denmark has expressed a willingness to work with his administration.

He also announced a huge increase in the expenses for the defense of GreenlandHours after Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Arctic territory.