Recently, Donald Trump has made a series of statements indicating a tougher foreign policy.
As reported by the BBC, he initially joked about Canada becoming an additional state of the U.S., then threatened to regain control of the Panama Canal, and reiterated his desire to own Greenland.
Trump claimed that Panama imposes an "unfairly high" toll on American ships for using the Panama Canal, highlighting the need to reclaim control over this vital waterway for the U.S. He stated that if the situation does not change, the U.S. may demand the return of the canal, although he did not disclose specific details of his intentions.
Trump's comments regarding the Canal mark another milestone in his "America First" campaign, which emphasizes strengthening American presence and influence worldwide. China, one of the major users of the Panama Canal, also has significant economic interests in the region, which has been repeatedly raised in the context of global political relations. Trump added that he does not want the Panama Canal "to fall into foreign hands," mentioning China, which has substantial stakes in this waterway.
Recently, the newly elected U.S. president also asserted that the U.S. "believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" for reasons of national security and global freedom. Greenland, an autonomous part of Denmark, has a strategic location and abundant natural resources, making it attractive to major powers. Trump had previously raised the issue of acquiring Greenland during his first term, but that idea did not gain support at the time. Greenland's Prime Minister Múte B. Egede firmly rejected such proposals, stating that the territory is not for sale.
Experts say it is unlikely that the U.S. will take control of either of these territories; however, Trump's statements indicate that his "America First" vision entails using the superpower's muscle beyond its borders for U.S. trade and national security interests.
Source: bbc .