Trump's Second Press Conference After Election Victory
Does Not Rule Out Military Use Regarding Greenland and Panama
Pressures Canada with "Economic Coercion"
Openly Pressures Allies Under America First Policy
Concerns Grow Over 'Trump-Style Expansionism'
Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, about two weeks before his inauguration, indicated that he might use military and economic pressure regarding Greenland, a Danish territory, and the Panama Canal. He also threatened to impose ultra-high tariffs if Denmark does not cooperate with the U.S. acquisition of Greenland. With his "America First" stance, Trump appears willing to blatantly violate sovereignty and take extreme measures regardless of allies and partners for the sake of American interests, raising concerns about "Trump-style expansionism."
On the 7th (local time), at his Mar-a-Lago resort home in Florida, during his second press conference after winning the presidential election, Trump was asked whether he could rule out the use of military or economic power concerning the Panama Canal and Greenland. He replied, "I won't promise that now," adding, "We might have to do something." He also stated, "I can say that they are needed for economic security (referring to the Panama Canal and Greenland)."
Trump particularly escalated his offensive against Denmark. He said, "People don't even know if Denmark has the legal authority to control Greenland," and added, "Even if they do, Denmark must give up Greenland because it is necessary for our national security." He also threatened to impose "very high" tariffs if Denmark obstructs Greenland residents' vote for independence and incorporation into the United States.
On the same day, Trump spoke on speakerphone with his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who was visiting Greenland, emphasizing that Greenland is a "very special place" and stating, "It needs security for itself, but it also needs a lot of security for the world."
Earlier, Trump expressed his intention to purchase Greenland last month and requested the Panamanian government to reduce toll fees for the Panama Canal. Analysts suggest that his interest in acquiring Greenland is driven by securing abundant resources near the Arctic to counter China and pioneering Arctic routes. Trump’s associates indicated that he would likely begin negotiations to purchase Greenland soon after his inauguration.
Trump continued to pressure Canada and Mexico, which he had previously threatened with a 25% high tariff over issues such as illegal immigration and trade deficits.
He said, "We spend hundreds of billions of dollars every year taking care of Canada, but we suffer losses due to trade deficits," pressuring Canada by stating he could use "economic pressure." He also called the idea of incorporating Canada as the 51st state of the U.S. "a really great thing," adding, "We are good neighbors, but we cannot be that forever." He criticized Mexico for exploiting the U.S. in trade as well.
Trump again pressured NATO member countries to increase their defense spending contributions. He claimed that he was the one who made NATO members spend 2% of their GDP on defense and stated, "I think NATO should pay 5%." This is a call for NATO members to more than double their current defense budgets.
He also expressed his intention to pardon those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot, which arose from his refusal to accept the 2020 election results. Trump said, "People who did bad things have not been prosecuted, but people who didn’t even enter the building are now in jail," adding, "I will look into everything, but there will be a massive pardon."
Bloomberg News reported, "If Trump’s first term foreign policy was at the level of trolling the world for fun, he is now taking it to a new level even before starting his second term," and added, "Trump’s threats against Panama and Greenland mean that the shackles of his second term have been released even before the inauguration."
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