Trump and his expansionist aspirations: Greenland, Panama Canal and Gulf of Mexico, in his sights

After his victory in November, Donald Trump is beginning to show a rather unknown side: his expansionist aspirations.

Not only has he aired controversial intentions such as buying Greenland, regaining control of the Panama Canal, or changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico. Besides, has refused to rule out the use of force to achieve this.

On January 7, 2025, Donald Trump seemed to feel a little more in control of the world. Or perhaps, a little more powerful to make unconfessed desires come true.

Already in his first term he had spoken of buy Greenland, but then it seemed like just a crazy idea. However, at that press conference at Mar-a-Lago, it was known that the purpose was alive.

“We need Greenland for national security reasons. This is for the free world. I’m talking about protecting the free world.”Trump said at the time.

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Panama and Mexico, also in Trump’s sights

And not only was Trump looking at the North Pole and the North Atlantic, but also towards the Panama Canal which, he claims, is controlled by China.

“Us we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to the Chinese. And they have abused it, they have abused that gift,” Trump added.

He thus renounces the Carter-Torrijos agreements, which returned to Panama control of the passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, essential for international trade.

A journalist asked him if he ruled out military actions and that response raised alarm bells: “I’m not going to commit to that now. I might have to do something,” he said.

Then it became clear that his expansionist vision, in the four years of power that begin, may turn out to be much more than a whim for two territories of geostrategic interest.

Greenland, under the control of Denmark, is not only a beautiful frozen place. It is the second largest island in the world and is in a privileged position for navigation in the Arctic Circle which, with the progressive thaw, It is increasingly consolidating as a commercial route. And it is believed that in a matter of years it could become the shortest route between Europe and Asia.

Seen from above it is better understood that it is not only about trade or the mining resources that exist in it. When you see the proximity of the borders between Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway, Canada and Alaska, which is the United States, it is clear that above all, it is about defense.

Denmark was quick to make clear that Greenland is not for sale and this is how its Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said: “We have a clear interest, from the perspective of the West, in the United States playing an important role in the area and not, for example, Russia or other countries. But Greenland is for the Greenlandic people.”

But, the Greenlandic people are only 55,000 inhabitants, who could vote for a change.

Ulrik Pram Gad, senior researcher in security and worldviews at the Danish Institute of International Studies (DIIS), responded to the question of whether Greenland can be bought.

“Since the Second World War, we have a principle of self-determination for colonized peoples. So, If anyone wanted to sell Greenland it would be the Greenlanders and they would not sell it as property. They could work out a trade deal with Trump where he would pay an annual subsidy or something. That starts to make sense if we look at it that way,” said Ulrik Pram Gad.

Panama, for its part, dotted its rights. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of that country, Javier Martinez Acha, said that “the sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and it is part of our history of struggle and irreversible conquest.”

Trump has even gone so far as to suggest that Canada becomes part of the United States like another state.

“If you get rid of that artificially drawn line, and see what it looks like. And it would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget, we basically protect Canada.”Trump said.

He also stated on another occasion that The name of the Gulf of Mexico should be changed.

“The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name”Trump argued and Mexico responded immediately, with historical maps at hand.

“It has been called the Gulf of Mexico since 1607 and is also recognized internationally,” the president of that country, Claudia Sheinbaum, reminded Trump.

Arguments come and go in the midst of a new debate that is beginning to make clear that Among the unannounced purposes of Donald Trump during the campaign is also to change the maps.