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Trump's Ambitions for Greenland and the Panama Canal Spark International Outrage
President-elect Donald Trump's recent statements on gaining control of Greenland and the Panama Canal have sparked widespread criticism and concern from international leaders and experts. Trump's remarks, made during a rally in Arizona, were met with swift rebukes from the prime ministers of Greenland and Panama, who emphasized that their countries would not be swayed by Trump's imperialist ambitions ¹.
At the center of Trump's controversy is his claim that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, which he believes was "given" to Panama. However, this assertion is patently false, as the canal's ownership was negotiated through a 50-year-old treaty between the United States and Panama. Trump's comments were swiftly condemned by Panama's President, Jose Raul Mulino, who stated that "every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)" ¹.
Trump's designs on Greenland are equally contentious. The president-elect has long expressed a desire to purchase the island nation, which is currently under the realm of the Kingdom of Denmark but has its own independent government. Trump's motivations for acquiring Greenland are believed to be driven by the island's vast natural resources, including rare minerals and potential oil reserves. However, Greenland's Prime Minister, Múte Egede, has categorically rejected Trump's overtures, stating that "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale" ¹.
Trump's comments have sparked a chorus of criticism from international leaders and experts. The European Union has issued a statement expressing its "deep concern" over Trump's remarks, while the Danish government has reaffirmed its commitment to Greenland's autonomy and self-governance.
Trump's plans for Greenland have also raised significant environmental concerns. The island's fragile ecosystem is already under threat from climate change, and the exploitation of its natural resources could have disastrous consequences for the environment and indigenous communities.
Trump's ambitions for Greenland and the Panama Canal are a stark reminder of the president-elect's imperialist tendencies and his willingness to disregard international norms and agreements. As the international community continues to grapple with the implications of Trump's remarks, one thing is clear: the United States' relationships with Greenland and Panama will be closely watched in the months and years to come.
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