President-elect Donald Trump suggests the United States should control Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, sparking strong reactions from the involved countries.
“Because we’re being ripped off at the Panama Canal like we’re being ripped off everywhere else,” Trump said.
Trump argues that Panama charges “ridiculous” fees for using the canal and criticizes President Jimmy Carter for ceding control of the canal in a historic peace treaty.
“I leave them there as totally irrelevant issues and quite bordering on historical incoherence with what the Panama Canal has been, is and will be,” said José Raúl Mulino, the president of Panama, through a translator.
Trump has also targeted Canada on social media, suggesting it should become the 51st state and referring to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a governor.
“Canada allows people and drugs to flow in through our Northern Border,” Trump said.
Trump’s comments have caused turmoil in Ottawa, leading to the resignation of the finance minister over disagreements on handling the new hostility.
“What we need to do is make sure that we strengthen our relationships with our allies and treaty partners like Panama, not make ridiculous carnival barker threats,” said Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Florida.
Trump also claims that U.S. control of Greenland is vital for “national security and freedom throughout the world.”
However, the Danish Prime Minister has stated that the territory is not for sale but is open for cooperation.
During his first administration, Trump canceled a 2019 visit to Denmark after his initial offer to buy Greenland was rejected.
This is not the first time a U.S. president has shown interest in Greenland; President Harry Truman offered to purchase it from Denmark in 1946 for $100 million in gold.
President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Cabrera as the ambassador to Panama.
