Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made an unprecedented move by asserting territorial claims over Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. If this stance persists beyond his inauguration on January 20, it will mark the first instance in over 75 years where the U.S. pursues territorial expansion. Trump has also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
Trump has cited national security concerns and the presence of Chinese and Russian activities in the Arctic as reasons for claiming Greenland. On the same day, Donald Trump Jr. and Sergio Gor, recently appointed to lead the White House personnel office, visited Greenland to rally local support. For the Panama Canal, Trump pointed to economic security and alleged Chinese control of the waterway. Regarding Canada, Trump highlighted America’s economic and military support for the country and a trade deficit as grounds for annexation, suggesting Canada become the 51st U.S. state. While he threatened military action for Greenland and Panama, Trump hinted at using economic pressure on Canada.
These announcements disrupt long-standing treaties and international norms, straining U.S. relationships with allies like Canada, Denmark (which oversees Greenland), and Panama. Both Canada and Denmark are NATO members, and the alliance has never experienced one member attacking another. The Panama Canal, transferred to Panama in 1999 after years of American control, has a contentious colonial history.
Canada’s Response
At a Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump accused Canada of benefiting unfairly from U.S. subsidies and military protection while maintaining a trade deficit. He proposed removing the “artificially drawn line” between the two nations, emphasizing the economic and security benefits of such a move. While Trudeau dismissed Trump’s claims on X, calling them impossible, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre reaffirmed Canada’s independence, vowing to protect the nation’s sovereignty.
Trump criticized the late Jimmy Carter for transferring control of the Panama Canal to Panama, accusing the country of unfair treatment and allowing China to dominate its operations. He described the Canal as vital for U.S. security and accused Panama of violating agreements. Panama’s President firmly rejected these claims, reiterating the Canal’s independence and denying any Chinese interference.
Declaring Greenland crucial for U.S. national security, Trump argued that Denmark’s control was tenuous and threatened Copenhagen with tariffs if it resisted. He linked Greenland’s strategic importance to the growing presence of Chinese and Russian forces in the region. Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. and MAGA representatives visited Greenland, promoting U.S. annexation as beneficial to its people. Denmark and Greenland’s leaders categorically dismissed these overtures, reaffirming Greenland’s autonomy and ties to the EU.
A Western Hemisphere Focus
Trump’s territorial claims underscore his administration’s emphasis on asserting dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Immigration concerns and relations with neighboring nations like Mexico, Central America, and Canada appear central to his foreign policy. Secretary of State appointee Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American with expertise in Latin America, and Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau, a fluent Spanish speaker with ties to the region, signal a targeted approach to hemispheric diplomacy.
Trump’s actions evoke comparisons to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, aimed at asserting U.S. primacy in the Americas. Whether driven by bargaining tactics, legacy ambitions, or genuine strategic intent, Trump’s claims rewrite the norms of global diplomacy, potentially reshaping international relations in unforeseen ways.
