The first weeks of the Trump administration have been marked with controversial news of the Trump administration’s plans for the country. While much has happened since the President’s inauguration, the proposed annexations of Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal have made the biggest international splash.
While Trump may be dead serious about these claims, he may also be bluffing. In his book, The Art Of The Deal, Trump writes that he would start negotiations by overstating his demands, forcing the other party to compromise, when in reality, the “compromise” was what he was aiming for the whole time. This could be what he is doing with these territorial ambitions. Under this possibility, he could be looking for trade concessions or greater control over the canal from Panama, more integration with Canada, and building military bases or allowing private investing in strategically valuable and resource-rich Greenland.
There is a lot of emotion when people talk about such ambitious goals, especially from the perspectives of the people being annexed. Let’s break down the narratives to see why the Trump administration wants this land and what positives or negatives they may offer.
In Greenland’s case, the island gives an excellent vantage point over Russia and China. In the eyes of the Trump administration, Greenland would be an excellent choice to place anti-nuclear countermeasures and garrisoned ports and sea patrols to command shipping routes. There have been several attempts to buy Greenland since the 1860s, so it is not out of precedent. Greenland has been eager for independence from Denmark for years but is not self-sustaining at all. The vast majority of Greenland’s exports are fish, and their government and economy are held up by Danish money to the point that around 20% of Greenland’s GDP is given to them by the Danes. Over half of the jobs in Greenland are in government services. The population of Greenland is roughly 60,000, which is even smaller than Luxembourg. If it becomes independent from Denmark, Greenland will be incredibly weak and prone to outside influence from almost any country on the map. One can see why the Trump administration would try to snatch up Greenland before the other great powers do. Currently, Greenlandic independence parties make up the top three political parties in Greenland, and the divide between 3rd and 4th place is vast. However, it is important to note that the Greenlandic people would not like to be annexed. A treaty of association would probably be the only viable option that would bring Greenland into the fold, which would allow America to build its bases without immediately annexing Greenland.
Even for the Trump administration, Canada is a complicated subject. The majority of Canadians do not like the possibility of annexation. Yet, the president has suggested that Canada offers numerous benefits. If annexation became a reality, many Americans might move up north for opportunity, where Canadian natural resources could be exploited to a greater extent. There would be important questions about healthcare, government programs, et cetera. The Canadian First Nations may be integrated into the American reservation system, posing significant questions as to how this could be achieved. Although Trump has called America the 51st state, Canada would likely not be made into one state. Rather, the current province/territory borders would likely be kept or lightly altered.
Panama currently controls a massive global trade artery in the Panama Canal, and ever since America transferred the canal to Panama, the Panamanians have been looking to other countries to build ties with. One of these countries is China. A Chinese company currently holds two ports on either side of the canal, which certainly influences how the Anti-China Trump Administration approaches the situation. China gave $2.5 Billion to Panama and had brought it into the Belt and Road initiative before Trump began to pressure Panama. An initiative where China indebts other countries to them by building infrastructure and bringing them into their sphere of influence. In the eyes of any president adhering to the Monroe Doctrine, this is simply unacceptable. The acquisition of Margarita Island in 2017, and the rail and mining operations led by Chinese state-owned companies are clear signs of Chinese interests in the region. Panama has broken its diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of better deals with China, the country using the canal the second most. China’s national security law forces all Chinese companies to collaborate with their government and share intelligence. This is partially why many people and several governments are distrustful of Tiktok, citing its ties to the Chinese government. Retaking the Panama Canal would improve America’s hold on international trade, but it would certainly face resistance from the Panamanians and several other states that use the canal regularly. Unlike Canada and Greenland, the problem isn’t the locals (it’s a canal), the problem would be direct and open opposition from foreign powers. Taking back the canal could be seen by some governments as a perfect opportunity to impose sanctions and condemn the United States.
These ambitions could be part of a real initiative to secure more land for The United States or as a business strategy for concessions. Whether they ever come to fruition will be seen in time. If so, these could change American history; or be seen as another failed attempt for expansion.
Sources:
Greenland: what is China doing there and why? | Presence before power
Greenland (GRL) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity
Is Greenland a poor country? | – CountryReports
Greenland – The World Factbook
China’s Uneven Military, Political, and Commercial Advance in Panama – The Diplomat
The US is right to be concerned about China’s influence over the Panama Canal – Atlantic Council
Trump Is Right To Worry About China’s Panama Canal Influence | RealClearDefense
Canada’s Natural Resources in High Demand, but Underexploited | The Canadian Encyclopedia
