Trump suggests using economic and military pressure to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has doubled down on his expansionist ambitions, openly advocating for the acquisition of Greenland, currently under Danish sovereignty, and regaining control of the Panama Canal. In a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the Republican leader stated that both territories are vital for ensuring U.S. economic security, and did not rule out employing military or economic pressure to achieve these objectives.

When pressed on whether he would refrain from such measures against Greenland and Panama once he assumes office on January 20, Trump replied: “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this: We need them for economic security.”

The president-elect made the statement on Tuesday, the same day his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., landed on the Danish Arctic island. The visit has fueled intrigue about the administration’s plans. On Monday, Trump again promoted the idea in a post on social media: “Greenland is a great place, and its people will benefit greatly if and when they become part of our nation,” he said.

Since his election victory in November, Trump has frequently hinted at this proposal in social media posts and public statements. He has emphasized Greenland’s immense natural resources and its strategic importance in countering Russian and Chinese interests in the Arctic — a rationale he also highlighted when he first floated the idea during his previous presidency in 2019.

In addition to acquiring Greenland, Trump has also suggested the possibility of regaining control of the Panama Canal, citing concerns over China’s growing influence in Latin America.

When Trump first proposed acquiring Greenland in 2019, the idea was swiftly dismissed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who declared: “Greenland is not for sale.” In response, Trump canceled his planned state visit to Denmark At the time, the proposal seemed far-fetched, but with Trump set to return to office — this time with near-absolute power thanks to Republican control of Congress and a deeply conservative Supreme Court — the idea appears less implausible. Recent tensions between Denmark and Greenland, a territory of just 57,000 inhabitants, have also made the proposal seem less outlandish.

On Tuesday, Danish state radio reported that Trump Jr. landed in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, aboard his father’s private plane, Trump One. During his brief visit, lasting only a few hours, Trump Jr. shared images of Greenland’s icy landscapes on X (formerly Twitter), calling the territory’s scenery “beautiful” and joking, “Greenland coming in hot ... well, actually, really really cold!”

Trump Jr. described the trip as a personal “tourist” visit during a podcast appearance on the Rumble platform, and was accompanied on the trip by pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk. Greenland’s autonomous government emphasized that the visit was private and not official Accordingly, no meetings between the president-elect’s son and local authorities were planned.

Upon arriving in Greenland, a vast territory four times the size of Spain, the Danish prime minister reaffirmed that the island is not for sale, though she acknowledged the possibility of the autonomous territory pursuing independence in the future. Frederiksen emphasized that any decision regarding Greenland’s future rests with its residents. “My starting point, and that of the government, is very clear: the future of Greenland is decided in Greenland,” she stressed.

Upon her arrival in Greenland, a territory four times the size of Spain, the Danish prime minister stressed that the island is not for sale, although she acknowledged that it is possible that the autonomous territory could seek independence in the future. In any case, she insisted, the future of Greenland will depend on its residents. “The future of Greenland must be decided in Greenland and in no other places,” she stressed.

“We need a very, very close co-operation with the U.S. On the other hand, I would like everyone to respect that Greenlanders are a people. It is their country that is at stake here,” she added.

Ahead of the visit, Greenlandic Foreign Minister Mininnguaq Kleist issued a welcoming statement: “Our country is open for visits, and visitors are welcome in our beautiful country.”

Greenland, which transitioned from a Danish colony to an autonomous territory in 1953, has seen rising tensions between Nuuk and Copenhagen in recent years, with many residents complaining that the central government has not taken their needs seriously.

Denmark’s King Frederick X stirred controversy this week by unveiling a new royal coat of arms, the first redesign in 50 years. The updated emblem gives greater prominence to Greenland, symbolized by a bear, and the Faroe Islands, represented by a goat. The move is widely seen as a response to Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.

On his social network, Truth Social, Trump confirmed on Monday that his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., along with “various representatives,” would visit Greenland on Tuesday to explore “some of the most magnificent areas and sights.” “We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World,” Trump promised, in the event that the island were to come under U.S. sovereignty.

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