Donald Trump Declines to Exclude Military Action Regarding Panama Canal and Greenland, Urges NATO to Increase Spending | US News

January 7, 2025 TruthUSA

Donald Trump, the president-elect of the United States, has not dismissed the possibility of using military or economic means to acquire control of the Panama Canal and Greenland. He also stated that NATO spending should increase to 5% for each member state.

During his remarks at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Mr. Trump laid out several bold claims regarding his potential policies upon taking office on January 20.

He stressed the need for NATO countries to up their spending to 5% of their GDP while asserting that US dominance over Greenland and the Panama Canal is essential for national security.

The 78-year-old Republican also touched upon relations with Canada and shared his views on the Middle East and the conflict in Ukraine.

Sky News examines some of the significant assertions made during the press briefing.

NATO

Mr. Trump asserted that “nobody knows more about NATO than I do,” further claiming: “If it weren’t for me, NATO wouldn’t even exist today.”

“I raised over $680 billion from countries that weren’t fulfilling their financial obligations. I saved NATO, but it seems NATO is taking advantage of us.”

The president-elect also insisted that NATO members should allocate 5% of their GDP to defense spending, compared to the previous goal of 2%.

Greenland and Panama Canal

When asked whether he could assure the global community that he would avoid military action or economic pressure to gain control of these areas, he replied: “No, I can’t assure you on either count.”

“However, I can assert that we need them for our economic security.”

He did not elaborate further on Greenland, which he has recently suggested should be owned or controlled by the US, but he emphasized that the Panama Canal “was built for our military.”

He described the canal as “vital” for the US and claimed that China is currently “operating” it.

Mr. Trump criticized the late Jimmy Carter for agreeing to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama during his term, calling it “a disgrace what took place” and stating, “Jimmy Carter gave it to them for one dollar.”

Canada

Following the announcement of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation the day before, Mr. Trump expressed his belief that Canada should become the 51st state of the US.

He mockingly referred to Mr. Trudeau as “governor” instead of prime minister.

He argued that a combined US-Canada would create an “economic powerhouse” that would be highly influential.

Mr. Trudeau retorted, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”

Israel-Hamas War

Israel has been engaged in a prolonged 15-month confrontation with Hamas since an unprecedented attack on October 7, during which 1,200 individuals lost their lives, and around 250 were taken hostage, many of whom still remain captive.

Mr. Trump asserted: “If those hostages aren’t released by the time I take office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East.”

According to health officials in Gaza run by Hamas, nearly 46,000 Palestinians have died in Israel’s military campaign.

Analysis: Trump’s warning may lose its significance

Ukraine War

Referencing the ongoing large-scale conflict initiated by Russia against Ukraine, Mr. Trump stated that a “big part of the problem” was that Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained for years that he did not want Ukraine to join NATO.

“Somewhere along the line, [outgoing President Joe] Biden stated that Ukraine could join NATO,” he remarked.

“Well, then Russia has NATO right on their doorstep.”

“When I heard Biden negotiating, I thought ‘you’re heading toward a conflict,’ and it turned out to be just that.”

When asked if he would guarantee continued support for Ukraine during negotiations with Moscow, Mr. Trump quipped, “Well, I wouldn’t disclose that to you.”