Overview

• Donald Trump, set to return to the presidency in January, has made inflammatory remarks about acquiring Greenland, reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, and annexing Canada as a U.S. state.
• Trump cited national security concerns in his renewed interest in Greenland, echoing his 2019 proposal, but Denmark and Greenland firmly rejected any possibility of a sale.
• The president-elect accused Panama of overcharging U.S. ships and alleged Chinese influence around the Panama Canal, threatening to demand its return to U.S. control.
• Trump's comments about Canada, including calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'governor,' were seen as taunting, with Canadian officials dismissing them as unserious.
• Analysts suggest Trump’s rhetoric may be a mix of strategic posturing and trolling, aiming to unsettle allies and bolster his image domestically ahead of his second term.