CANADA ROW
Trump refuses to rule out using military force at the Panama Canal & threatens Canada in feisty press conference
Watch Trump make the controversial comments in the footage below
DONALD Trump has refused to rule out using force at the Panama Canal and threatened Canada during a fiery press conference.
The Republican, who is two weeks away from entering the White House, has begun outlining an aggressive foreign policy - upsetting US allies.
8
8
8
Upon being asked at a press conference whether he could assure the world he would not use military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, Trump said: "No, I can't assure you on either of those two.
"But I can say this, we need them for economic security."
Trump also criticized American spending on Canadian goods and military support for Canada, claiming the US has no benefits from contributing.
He also called the border between the two countries an "artificially drawn line."
read more news
Trump recently took to calling Trudeau the "governor of Canada" while threatening a brutal 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports.
He says the tariff, which he vows to impose on day one of his presidency, will stay until Canada sorts out issues like fentanyl smuggling and illegal immigration.
Trump said during his address on Tuesday: "We're gonna put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
"They [immigrants] come through Canada too, and the drugs that are coming through are at record numbers.
Most read in The US Sun
"We wanna get along with everyone but it takes two to tango."
The President-elect further suggested he would impose tariffs on Denmark if the country resists his offer to buy Greenland which, in his eyes, is vital to US national security.
Bumbling Biden urged to 'go back to the beach' as he fumbles Happy Birthday song in yet another embarrassing gaffe
But Denmark's Prime Minister has slammed Trump's comments, making it clear that Greenland, a self-governing part of its kingdom, is not for sale.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned: "I don't think it's a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners."
On Tuesday Trump Jr landed in Greenland, sparking fresh rumours that his president-elect dad is serious about snapping up the icy island.
According to Greenland's foreign affairs department, this is an unofficial visit set to last just a few hours, with no formal meetings planned.
Meanwhile Canada's minister of foreign affairs, Melanie Joly, has also scorned Trump's remarks on the country.
She said on X: "President-elect Trump's comments show a complete lack of understanding of what makes Canada a strong country.
"Our economy is strong. Our people are strong.
8
8
8
"We will never back down in the face of threats."
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed his minister's comments, saying there isn't "a snowball's chance in hell" that Canada will join the US.
Trudeau announced he was resigning on Monday, but he will stay as prime minister until the governing Liberals elect a new leader which is expected by the end of March.
Trump also said he would demand higher defense spending from NATO allies - and even promised to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
His promise to do this bizarre renaming echoed his previous vow to revert the name of Denali, the highest mountain peak in North America, to Mount McKinley.
Former President Barack Obama changed the name of the Alaskan mountain in deference to Native Americans.
Normally, the US Board of Geographic Names sets geographic names, but presidents have also renamed geographic features via executive action.
While his Canada comments have raised eyebrows, Trump's desire to buy Greenland is nothing new.
The island is packed with valuable resources like rare earth minerals and sits at a key spot between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.
Back in 2019, Trump called buying Greenland a "great real estate deal", but Denmark and Greenlandic leaders swiftly shot the idea down.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
As Trump gears up to take office on January 20, his territorial ambitions — whether it’s annexing Greenland, reclaiming the Panama Canal, or turning Canada into “America’s hat” — are making waves.
And while critics slam his plans as reckless and absurd, they’ve struck a chord with Trump’s base, who see his moves as proof he’s putting America first.
8
8
Topics