President-elect Donald Trump has asserted territorial claims over Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal, marking the first U.S. attempt to expand its territory in over 75 years. Trump plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. He justifies the claim on Greenland due to national security concerns and Chinese and Russian activities, while his stance on the Panama Canal cites economic and security issues tied to Chinese influence. Trump’s claim on Canada is based on military protection, economic support, and a trade deficit, suggesting it become the 51st state.
Trump has threatened military force for Greenland and the Panama Canal and economic coercion for Canada. His declarations disrupt longstanding international treaties, challenging U.S. relations with Canada, Denmark, and Panama—two of which are NATO allies. The Panama Canal, previously under U.S. control, has been managed by Panama since 1999 after being returned by President Jimmy Carter.
Trump’s administration, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, prioritizes American dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Although Trump is known for extreme positions, using them as negotiation tools, his territorial claims represent a significant shift in global politics, questioning the U.S.’s commitment to a rules-based international order.
At a press conference, Trump criticized Canada’s reliance on U.S. military protection and economic subsidies, suggesting annexation might improve national security and economic balance. He recalled a conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where Trudeau allegedly admitted Canada couldn’t function without U.S. support. Canadian leaders, however, strongly rejected Trump’s claims, affirming Canada’s independence.
Regarding Panama, Trump criticized China’s perceived control over the Panama Canal and denounced past U.S. decisions to relinquish control. Panama’s President firmly denied Chinese influence and rejected any negotiations about the canal’s status.
Trump also targeted Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance for national security and framing it as vulnerable to Chinese and Russian influence. His son and other representatives visited Greenland to promote local support, but Danish and Greenlandic leaders rejected any idea of selling the territory.
These territorial ambitions have been met with strong opposition from the involved nations, reinforcing their sovereignty and commitment to remaining independent from U.S. claims.
