Trump is thinking about forming an empire; from acquiring Greenland and Panama to annexing Canada and Mexico.
US President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to return to the White House on January 20, has fueled global concerns with some of his comments about his northern and southern neighbors and other regions.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said, “We subsidize Canada by over $100 billion a year. We subsidize Mexico by $300 billion. If we’re going to subsidize them, let’s let them become states in the United States.”
Trump has also revealed his expansionist tendencies regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal, in a way that observers see as reminiscent of traditional imperialism and could jeopardize security in these regions.
Trump’s Greedy Eye for Greenland
Trump recently reiterated his plan to buy Greenland, drawing global media attention. Trump’s statements about the acquisition of Greenland were, in fact, one of the most controversial issues of his first term in office, which sparked widespread reactions both inside and outside the United States.
The proposal, first put forward in 2019, was aimed at expanding America’s geographical and strategic influence. Trump believed that Greenland could be a valuable asset for the United States due to its rich natural resources and strategic geographical location in the Arctic.
However, these statements were met with strong opposition from the Danish government, of which Greenland is a part. Danish officials called the idea “ridiculous” and emphasized that Greenland is not for sale. In addition, the people of Greenland also strongly opposed such an idea due to their relative autonomy.
From the perspective of international law, the acquisition or purchase of territory belonging to another country requires a comprehensive agreement between the governments and the consent of the people of that country. Such an action without the parties’ consent would violate international law and the UN Charter.
Trump’s statements on this matter, despite being impractical, hurt US relations with Denmark and other European countries. This led to a weakening of America’s diplomatic image and increased concern among its allies about Trump’s unpredictable policies.