What's New
Amid President-elect Donald Trump's increasingly adversarial rhetoric toward other nations, Newsweek has mapped what the U.S. would look like on the world stage if it incorporated both Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Newsweek contacted the Trump transition team and the Panamanian Embassy for comment via email.
Why It Matters
On Saturday, Trump described the Panama Canal as a "complete rip-off," demanding that Panama lower fees on American ships passing through. He added that the U.S. would "demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question" if changes were not made.
While announcing his pick for the U.S. ambassador to Denmark on Sunday, Trump reaffirmed his desire for "ownership and control of Greenland," with both moves signifying the president-elect's increasingly adversarial "America First" approach to foreign policy.
What To Know
In a Truth Social post announcing Ken Howery as his choice for ambassador to Denmark, which controls the territory of Greenland, Trump restated his goal of bringing the area under U.S. control. Howery previously served as the ambassador to Sweden during Trump's first term.
Trump wrote, "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," doubling down on the rhetoric that saw him cancel a state visit to Denmark during his first term as president, after the nation shot down notions of Greenland leaving Danish control.
Trump maintains a similar hard-line stance on the Panama Canal, which provides shipping access through Central America in a comparable style to the Suez Canal in the Middle East.
The canal was under joint American–Panamanian control until 1999, when Panama assumed full control.
What People Are Saying
President-elect Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: "As a Co-Founder of PayPal and venture capital fund, Founders Fund, Ken turned American Innovation and Tech leadership into Global success stories, and that experience will be invaluable in representing us abroad. 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."
He wrote in previous posts: "The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop ... 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."
Ken Howery wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: "I know first-hand the power of diplomacy to advance American interests and strengthen alliances, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Europe to promote the President's agenda. I look forward to working with the dedicated teams at U.S. Embassy Copenhagen and U.S. Consulate Nuuk in Greenland to deepen the bonds between our countries."
What Happens Next
Both Panama and Denmark have rejected any notion of passing territory to the U.S. As Trump prepares to return to office on January 20, he is expected to increase his attention on foreign policy.
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