President-elect Donald Trump has reignited his interest in acquiring Greenland, citing its strategic importance for national security. His remarks, made over the weekend, once again bring the island into the spotlight, following his pick of Ken Howery as the U.S. ambassador to Denmark.
Trump’s foreign policy ambitions continue to stir controversy, as he recently called for the United States to regain control of the Panama Canal and even annex Canada. Alongside these, his desire to control Greenland has resurfaced. He argued that U.S. ownership of Greenland is essential for maintaining global freedom and national security, a position he has held since his presidency.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration over Panama’s fees for the canal, calling them excessive, especially in light of the U.S.'s past generosity to Panama. He declared, "The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous… This complete ‘rip-off’ of our country will immediately stop."
Trump’s concerns about the Panama Canal center around its rising costs and the increasing influence of China in the region. He reiterated his belief that the canal should be returned to U.S. control, making national security a priority in this push.
As for Greenland, Trump’s longstanding interest is fueled by its vast natural resources and its strategic location. He first suggested purchasing Greenland back in 2019, and his desire to buy the island continues.
However, Denmark, the governing country of Greenland, has firmly rejected his proposals. In 2019, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s suggestion by saying, “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish.
In a move to strengthen U.S.-Denmark relations, Trump announced his selection of Ken Howery, the co-founder of PayPal, as his ambassador to Denmark. Trump expressed confidence that Howery would effectively represent U.S. interests.
Despite the backlash and previous rejections, Trump remains adamant about his goals, and it’s clear that Greenland and the Panama Canal remain central to his foreign policy vision. Whether his proposals will gain traction remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his approach to global diplomacy continues to be bold and unpredictable.
Trump Reiterates Key Campaign Themes at Conservative Gathering
Donald Trump delivered a speech at Turning Point's annual conference, one of the largest gatherings of conservative activists in the United States. In front of thousands of supporters, the former president hit on familiar themes that were central to his campaign.
This event marked his first public address since Congress passed a deal to keep the U.S. government running. The agreement included several changes, one of which was the removal of a provision to raise the country's debt ceiling. Trump had previously supported increasing the debt ceiling, which determines the limit on government borrowing. However, his speech on Sunday did not address this issue.
Instead, Trump focused on themes that have long been part of his platform: immigration, crime, and foreign trade. These issues were key elements of his previous election victory and remain central to his message as he continues to rally his base ahead of future elections.
Turning Point's efforts to mobilize voters in swing states, especially for Trump and other Republican candidates, were also highlighted. The organization had invested heavily in get-out-the-vote campaigns aimed at boosting Republican turnout in critical battleground areas.