Trump ignites diplomatic chaos: Wild remarks stir global tension
Brutal and in true Trump style, it's laying the groundwork for future negotiations. This is how Americanist Andrzej Kohut describes a series of comments by Donald Trump. Although the politician has not yet assumed the presidency, he has already managed to insult or worry leaders in Canada, Panama, and Greenland.
"Many people in Canada want to become the 51st state of the USA," Donald Trump remarked, commenting on Justin Trudeau's decision to step down as prime minister. "Canada and the USA together, what a wonderful nation that would be," added the president-elect.
"I hear that the people of Greenland are MAGA (supporters of Trump's campaign slogan: Make America Great Again). My son, Don Junior, and various representatives will go there (...) Greenland is an amazing place, and people will benefit greatly if and when it becomes part of our nation," Trump stated in a social media post.
The post appeared alongside a video clip in which a person expresses that if they could tell Trump anything, they would tell him to "buy Greenland." These suggestions prompted a response from the island's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who asserted that the territory "is not for sale and will never be for sale."
Storm over Trump: Not yet in office and already insulting several countries
These examples of statements by the president-elect have sparked controversy. Americanist Andrzej Kohut explains that Donald Trump has a unique style of communicating some of his ideas.
- These sensational, even bombastic, statements are characteristic of him. However, realistically, no one from his administration seriously considers buying Greenland or annexing Canada - says Americanist Andrzej Kohut. Recently, in an article published in WP, he predicted that by 2025, the media would need experts in "trumpology," i.e., understanding the true intentions of the American president. Kohut points out that beneath the sensational proposals are rational reasons suggested by his advisors.
Let's clarify that Greenland hosts the American Peterson & Schriever Space Force Base. Furthermore, as the source explains, due to climate changes, a new trade route through the Arctic may open near the island.
However, Greenland is becoming a focal point for China's expansion. According to United States policy experts, Trump's statements aim to underscore that the island is a critical area of American influence, with significant security and trade implications for Washington.
Donald Trump Jr., the son of the US president-elect, visited Greenland on Tuesday, meeting with local politicians advocating for the island's independence. Commentators viewed the visit as a "humiliation of the Danish government."
Greenland is an autonomous territory under Denmark, but within these relations, there is an ongoing discussion in which Greenlandic politicians increasingly signal a desire for independence. Perhaps Trump sees an opportunity for this independence to function under the American umbrella, emphasizes Kohut.
Canada and the USA united: "What a wonderful nation that would be!"
The Americanist also addressed Trump's comments about Canada. "If Canada joined with the USA, there would be no tariffs, taxes would drop significantly, and Canada would be fully secure from threats posed by Russian and Chinese ships constantly surrounding it," suggested the American politician.
The context is vital to understanding why the politician suggests integrating Canada. The aim might be to renegotiate trade agreements and border security issues. Here, Trump is testing his partners on the American continent. Previously, he hinted at imposing 25 percent higher tariffs on products from Mexico and Canada. It's brutal and Trump-like, but it’s setting the stage for future negotiations, assesses Andrzej Kohut.
In recent weeks, Trump suggested that his new administration might take control of the Panama Canal. Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino dismissed this idea, responding with a video posted on social media.
In the video, he stated emphatically that our country's sovereignty and independence are not subject to negotiation. According to experts, Trump's remark was motivated by American companies' interest in securing better rates for goods transiting through the canal.
Trump will assume power in the USA on January 20.
