Donald Trump: President-elect Addresses Canada, Greenland, and Panama Canal in Christmas Message | World News
Donald Trump has indicated in a series of Christmas Day social media posts that the US might take possession of Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal.
The president-elect extended Christmas greetings on his Truth Social platform, “including to the amazing soldiers of China, who are lovingly, yet unlawfully, operating the Panama Canal.”
Throughout his extensive posts, Mr. Trump highlighted the American lives lost in the canal’s construction, stating that the US “invests billions in ‘repair’ funds but has no say in ‘anything’.”
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He also took jabs at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, referring to him as “governor” and once again proposed that Canada might become a US state—similar to comments made in recent weeks.
“If Canada were to become our 51st state, their taxes would decrease by over 60%, their businesses would immediately expand, and they would receive military protection unlike any other nation on earth,” he asserted.
A cargo ship traverses the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama. Pic: AP
In another update, Mr. Trump, 78, stated he had encouraged former ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky to pursue the position of prime minister, but he had “no interest”.
He also addressed “the people of Greenland, which is essential for the United States for national security reasons and who wish for the US to be present, and we shall!”
This follows Mr. Trump’s revival of the proposal he made during his first term in office to purchase Greenland from Denmark.
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The world’s largest island, positioned between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, is predominantly covered by an ice sheet (80%) and hosts a large US military installation. Greenland gained autonomy from Denmark in 1979.
The Prime Minister of the island, Mute Egede, has made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.
Furthermore, Mr. Trump has previously threatened to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, alleging that Panama imposes exorbitant fees for the crucial trade route and warning of potential Chinese encroachment.
Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, has asserted that the independence of his country is non-negotiable and that China does not influence the management of the canal.
The canal serves as a vital passageway for global trade, linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and allowing vessels to bypass lengthy and perilous routes around the southernmost tip of South America by traversing through the Americas.
After the ambitious project was inaugurated in 1914, the canal and its surrounding territory remained under US control until an agreement with Panama in 1977 facilitated its return to full Panamanian sovereignty in 1999.
China does not govern the canal; however, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has long been responsible for managing two ports at both entrances of the canal in the Caribbean and Pacific.
