Trump won’t rule out military force to take back Panama Canal, ‘economic force’ to take Canada – Washington Examiner
The article discusses President-elect donald Trump’s controversial stance on reclaiming sovereignty over the Panama Canal and Greenland. During a news conference, Trump indicated he is open to using military force to assert control over these regions, emphasizing their importance for U.S. economic security. When pressed by a reporter about the possibility of using military action for these goals, he stated, “I can’t assure you on either of those two,” reflecting a willingness to consider military measures while underscoring the strategic significance of the Panama Canal, which he believes was constructed for military purposes.
Trump won’t rule out military force to take Panama Canal and Greenland, ‘economic force’ to take Canada
President-elect Donald Trump is prepared to use the U.S. military to reclaim the Panama Canal and take Greenland.
Trump, who vowed to take back the Panama Canal and gain control of Greenland, was asked by a reporter Tuesday if he can assure the public that he will not use military force to fulfill these promises.
“I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this. We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military,” Trump said. “I’m not gonna commit to that.”
TRUMP SAYS HE WILL CHANGE THE NAME OF GULF OF MEXICO TO ‘GULF OF AMERICA’
“It might be that you’ll have to do something. Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It’s being operated by China — China! And we gave the Panama Canal to Panama, we didn’t give it to China. And they’ve abused it. They’ve abused that gift — it should have never been made,” he continued.
Following Trump’s affirmation that he is not ruling out the use of military force to take certain territories, he was pressed by another reporter on whether this posture also applies to his goal of making Canada the 51st state.
Trump clarified that he would not be open to using any military force to pressure Canada into joining the United States, but he promised to use “economic force” if necessary.
“Canada and the United States — that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security,” Trump said. “Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada. But here’s the problem with Canada. So many friends up there. I love the Canadian people, but we’re spending hundreds of billions of years to protect it.”
He added, “Why are we supporting a country — $200 billion-plus a year? Our military is at their disposal, all these other things. They should be a state.”
The incoming administration has threatened to economically punish Canada if it does not adjust its financial contributions to the U.S. to a more equal level. Trump has also threatened 25% tariffs if the Canadian borders are not secured against the rampant trafficking of drugs and illegal migrants.
Trump recounted Tuesday a conversation he had with outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month: “I said, ‘What would happen if we didn’t do it?’ [and] he said ‘Canada would dissolve. Canada wouldn’t be able to function.’”
At the press conference, Trump also announced his intention to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”
Trump will be sworn into office on Jan. 20.
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