USA – President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of isolating the US from foreign conflicts like the Ukraine war, increasing tariffs on foreign trade partners, and rebuilding domestic manufacturing. But in recent days he has suggested a more outwardly aggressive approach for his foreign policy. At first, he joked about Canada being an additional US state. Since, he has threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated a desire from his first term to own the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, which is not for sale. The US is unlikely to take control of any of these regions. But these statements could indicate that Trump’s “America First” vision includes flexing the superpower’s muscle beyond its borders for US trade and national security interests.

Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the US “feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity”, for reasons of national security and global freedom.

The US maintains Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. The territory is rich with natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and occupies a strategic location for trade as global powers seek to expand their reach in the Arctic Circle. Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity. Trump floated the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, during his first term as president, and it never came to fruition. Greenland’s prime minister, Múte B Egede, responded to Trump’s latest comments this week: “We are not for sale and we will not be for sale.” Still, Trump continued emphasising his public statements online. On Truth Social, Trump’s account showed an image of an American flag being planted in the middle of the Panama Canal. (BBC)