Trump’s Controversial Land Ambitions: Panama Canal & Greenland Reignite Tensions

Trump’s Controversial Land Ambitions: Panama Canal & Greenland Reignite Tensions

Donald Trump’s ambitions have sparked global debate. The former U.S. president proposed merging the United States with Canada, Greenland, and Panama, raising questions about sovereignty, trade dominance, and geopolitical strategy.

A Bold, Divisive Vision

In his inaugural address, Trump expressed territorial claims over the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada. He pledged to “take back” the Panama Canal, a move analysts warn could destabilize Central America.

Paolo Raffone, director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, described Trump’s expansionist vision as “a modern twist on the 150-year-old Monroe Doctrine.”

“The Monroe Doctrine is 150 years old. Trump is relaunching it in a clear global twist: Panama Canal back under U.S. control, Canada within the U.S. security interests zone, and Greenland… the extension of the Northern U.S. security zone,” Raffone explained.

Strategic Trade Routes in Trump’s Plan

Trump’s proposed merger aims to exploit the geographic positions of Canada, Greenland, and Mexico to strengthen U.S. influence. Key trade routes at the heart of this plan include:

1. The Northwest Passage
   Greenland and Canada hold access to the Arctic’s Northwest Passage, a shipping route expected to gain importance as climate change melts ice. The U.S. aims to rival Russia’s Northern Sea Route, but its lack of icebreaker ships hampers short-term viability.
2. Pacific-Atlantic Integration
   Consolidating Mexico’s Pacific coast with U.S. Atlantic shores could give Washington unimpeded trade access to Asia, Europe, and South America. Critics argue such dominance risks replicating inefficiencies exposed during the 2021 supply chain crisis.
3. The Panama Canal
   While the U.S. relinquished control of the Panama Canal in 1999, Trump aims to reassert influence. Under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Washington could pressure Panama to prioritize American interests over growing ties with China.

Panama Stands Firm

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino rejected Trump’s ambitions, vowing the canal would remain under Panamanian control.

“The Canal is and will remain Panama’s, and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control, with respect for its permanent neutrality,” Mulino declared.

Analysts believe Panama has little room to oppose direct U.S. pressure, given its reliance on American trade.

However, Trump’s proposal has sparked outrage among Panamanians and leaders across Latin America, who view it as a return to neocolonialism.

Greenland Pushback

Trump’s claim over Greenland also drew criticism. Residents of Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, strongly opposed his comments about buying the island.

“They can’t buy us as if we were sheep,” a local woman said.

Other Greenlanders called the proposal “revolting” and an insult to their national identity.

Historical Patterns of Expansion

Trump’s ambitions evoke memories of past U.S. land acquisitions, often marked by coercion or financial pressure.

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• Panama Canal: A U.S.-backed coup in 1903 forced Panama’s independence from Colombia, allowing the U.S. to secure land for the canal.
• Philippines: After defeating Spain in 1898, the U.S. bought the Philippines for $20 million, delaying its independence for 30 years.
• Virgin Islands: During World War I, the U.S. pressured Denmark to sell the islands for $25 million, threatening military action.

These strategies illustrate how the U.S. expanded its territories, often at the expense of weaker nations.

Analysts Warn of Geopolitical Risks

Experts caution that Trump’s plans could reignite tensions in the Americas and Arctic regions.

Efforts to reclaim the Panama Canal may alienate Central and South American nations already wary of U.S. interference.

Furthermore, the Arctic is a hotbed of competition among the U.S., Russia, and China.

Trump’s push to control Greenland and Canada could intensify this rivalry.

“None of this requires the use of force,” Raffone noted.

“But the implications for sovereignty and regional stability are significant.”

A Divided Legacy

As Trump’s statements ripple through global headlines, they highlight a broader debate about U.S. expansionism.

While his supporters argue the proposals strengthen America’s strategic position, critics fear they undermine international law and destabilize key regions.

For now, nations like Panama and Greenland remain resolute in their independence.

Whether Trump’s ambitions will gain traction remains to be seen, but the world is watching closely.