Title: Trump’s Suggestion to Acquire Greenland and Panama Canal Sparks Controversy

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, declared adamantly that the country is “off the market and will forever remain so” following President-elect Donald Trump’s proposition that the US ought to acquire it. Trump took to social media in the early hours of Monday to express that the control and ownership of Greenland is crucial “for the sake of National Security and Global Freedom.” Greenland, a vast, frigid arctic island with a population exceeding 50,000, is a territory under Denmark’s autonomous rule. Egede was quick to respond to Trump’s sentiments.

Egede insisted, “Greenland belongs to us. It’s not on sale and will never be on sale. We shouldn’t abandon our enduring fight for independence.” Trump’s post arrived merely hours after he declared his intention to recommend Ken Howery for the role of US ambassador to Denmark. Howery was the US ambassador to Sweden during Trump’s initial term.

Trump’s suggestion to purchase Greenland isn’t a novel idea. Back in 2019, Trump, during his first term, considered acquiring Greenland for strategic purposes. The leadership of Greenland reiterated then, as they have now, that the island is not for sale.

Trump also hinted over the weekend that the US should acquire the Panama Canal, which is under the ownership and operation of the Panama Canal Authority, a Panama government entity. According to the US State Department, the canal is used predominantly by the US, with 72% of all vessels bound for or departing from US ports.

José Raúl Mulino, Panama’s President, asserted that “every square meter” of the canal “belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama.” Trump retorted to Mulino’s response, posting, “We’ll see about that!” The Panama Canal was constructed by the US in the early part of the 20th century and was ceded back to Panama by former President Jimmy Carter in 1977 through a treaty.

Author: Kathryn Watson

Kathryn Watson is a political correspondent for CBS News Digital, operating out of Washington, D.C. Her areas of coverage include all aspects of politics, both domestic and international.