Trump won’t rule out military action to take Greenland, Panama Canal

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday told reporters at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida that he would not rule out military intervention to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump described both locations as essential for U.S. economic security. Trump accused China of operating the Panama Canal instead of the Panamanian government.

What does the United States’ relationship look like with these countries now? Greenland is an autonomous territory affiliated with Denmark, according to the CIA World Factbook. The United States does have one military base inside Greenland. The Panama Canal is under the control of the Panamanian government, according to the CIA. The CIA explained that the United States turned its military bases in the country over to Panama during the 1990s.

What do Greenland and Panama have to say about this? Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reportedly said that Greenland was not for sale following Trump’s remarks. But she reaffirmed that the United States was a close ally of Denmark. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino reportedly said last month that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama.