Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
UNCTAD: The situation in the Palestinian territories is unfolding within a context of overall economic and institutional fragility and is leading to serious social and environmental consequences
UNCTAD: Two years of military operations and restrictions have caused an unprecedented collapse of the Palestinian economy
UNCTAD: Situation in Gaza unique, represents the most severe economic crisis ever recorded
TASS reports 3 people were injured in a drone attack in the Rostov region, after a fire broke out at a facility in the industrial zone
Ukraine's Ministry of energy reports massive attack on energy facilities in the country
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense: One Chinese balloon was spotted in the Taiwan Strait on Monday
Israeli media reports injuries in ramming operation in al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Zionists must remain worried, as they have committed a grave error.
Sheikh Daamoush: All concessions given by Lebanese government to date bore no fruit.
Sheikh Daamoush: It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and sovereignty, government must push plans to that effect and refuse external pressures, diktats.

Trump trades isolationism for expansionism: Politico

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 8 Jan 2025 12:33
4 Min Read

As Trump steps back into the spotlight, preparing to assume office once again, he unveils ambitious plans for the annexation of Greenland and the Panama Canal.

Listen
  • x
  • President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on January 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP)
    President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, on January 7, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP)

A report by Politico revealed on Wednesday that US President-elect Donald Trump has not dismissed the possibility of using military force in his efforts to annex Greenland and reclaim control of the Panama Canal.

According to Politico, the comments made during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, mark a shift in Trump's "America First" strategy. This new phase moves away from the isolationist stance of his first term toward a more interventionist approach, aiming to annex additional territories and assert America's influence globally, the report explains.

These actions hint at the profound and transformative impact that Trump's second presidency could have on the global stage, prompting reactions from other world leaders.

Trump said “Since we won the election, a couple of months since we won the election, the whole perception of the whole world is different. People from other countries have called me, ‘Thank you. Thank you,’” adding, “We’re going to have to settle some big problems that are going on right now.”

Trump's annexation plans: here are the details 

Later this month, the president-elect is expected to take office during a critical time when wars are raging in different parts of the world, as Russia and China are ramping up their strategic positions on the global stage. The report explains that Trump will take office with a lot of promises such as tariffs, which would likely put the US at odds with friendly states, including Mexico and Canada. 

On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his desire to annex both Greenland and Canada, citing strategic and economic reasons. He pledged to use only economic pressure to make Canada the 51st US state, but did not make the same commitment regarding Greenland.

According to Politico, by drawing on his penchant for branding, Trump promised during his press conference to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."

Trump attributed his apparent shift in perspective to the evolving geopolitical situation since his first presidency. He asserted that during his first term, he "defeated ISIS" and avoided wars. Now, he claimed, he is returning to power amid "a world that is burning."

Although many of the president-elect's foreign policy pledges seem at odds with his longstanding focus on domestic issues, Trump emphasized on Tuesday that these actions are intended to enhance national security and foster economic prosperity.

His comments come as members of his family and incoming administration travel worldwide to lay the groundwork for a more global MAGA agenda.

'Trump eyes Greenland' 

The Politico report noted that Donald Trump Jr., the president-elect's son, made an unofficial trip to Greenland on Tuesday alongside long-time Trump allies Segior Gor and Charlie Kirk to record content for a podcast. However, he is not scheduled to meet with any Greenlandic government officials.

Trump has consistently expressed interest in purchasing the autonomous territory, which holds strategic significance for the US and is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals, according to Politico. His last attempt to acquire Greenland from Denmark was in 2019.

“The people [of Greenland] are going to probably vote for independence or to come into the United States,” Trump predicted.

In response to Trump Jr.’s visit, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen forcefully pushed back on the idea that the territory is for sale, saying Tuesday that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”

Panama Canal 

The report also highlighted Trump's desire to regain control of the Panama Canal and criticized former President Jimmy Carter’s decision to transfer its control to Panama for $1.

According to Politico, the remarks gained further weight this week as Carter lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda, with US and international dignitaries gathering for his funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday.

While entertaining the idea of a US takeover of Canada, Trump also weighed in on who he believes should be the country's next prime minister following Justin Trudeau's departure. He revealed that he suggested to hockey legend Wayne Gretzky that he should consider running for the position, the report mentioned.

In Trump's version of their conversation, Gretzky responded by asking whether Trump was considering running for prime minister or governor.

“Let’s make it governor,” Trump told him. “I like it better.”

Read next: Trump's remarks on Panama Canal spark global controversy: WSJ

  • United States
  • Panama canal
  • Greenland
  • Canada
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

  • Analysis
  • 19 Nov 2025
US readies covert, military measures to oust Maduro: NYT

US signs off on covert CIA operations inside Venezuela: NYT

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Maduro highlights workers' rise, global support for Venezuela
Politics

Maduro announces receiving info about new plot against Venezuela

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza under relentless Israeli attacks
Politics

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza under relentless Israeli attacks

Last-ditch COP30 deal puts fossil fuels in the crosshairs
Environment

Last-ditch COP30 deal puts fossil fuels in the crosshairs, for now

Trump admin fumes after court tosses cases against Comey, James
Politics

Trump admin. fumes after court tosses cases against Comey, James

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS