Donald Trump has signalled again that he wants Greenland to be an American territory.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social announcing his choice of Ken Howery as ambassador to Denmark.
During his first term, Trump famously said he was considering purchasing Greenland, and cancelled a state trip to Denmark when Danish officials said it was not for sale. Trump joked in a Tweet that he would not build a Trump Tower on Greenland if the island came into US hands.
The acquisition of Greenland has been a longstanding US foreign policy goal. As early as 1946, US officials sought to buy the territory from Denmark.
The island is rich in natural resources. As sea ice recedes, the territory will become more important for its position on newly opened sea routes through the Arctic to Asia.
The comments about Greenland come hot on the heels of Trump’s claim the US might be forced to retake the Panama Canal if Panama continues to give the US a raw deal over its use.
“The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood. We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands! It was not given for the benefit of others, but merely as a token of cooperation with us and Panama,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question. To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!”
The president-elect followed with a longer post in which he laid out the “vital” importance of the canal to the US, and said that the Panamanian government must stop “ripping off” the US.
