During a one-hour news conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, the president-elect voiced a mix of grievances, complaints, and unsubstantiated claims.
Trump Considers Military or Economic Tactics for Greenland and Panama Canal, Floats Controversial Foreign Policy Ideas
President-elect Donald J. Trump declined on Tuesday to rule out using military or economic pressure to compel Panama to relinquish control of the canal or to persuade Denmark to sell Greenland to the United States. These remarks, delivered during a freewheeling, hourlong news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, further underscored his unorthodox and unpredictable approach to foreign policy.
Reiterating a stark warning, Mr. Trump said, “If the hostages held by Hamas are not back by Inauguration Day, all hell will break out in the Middle East.” He repeated the threat multiple times, adding, “It will not be good for Hamas, and frankly, not good for anyone.”
The news conference veered through a range of grievances and policy claims, including his disdain for offshore drilling restrictions, his accusations against the legal cases involving him, and even his complaints about low-flow showerheads. Mr. Trump suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and floated economic coercion to annex Canada, criticizing U.S. financial support for its northern neighbor.
Regarding NATO, Mr. Trump appeared to confirm reports that he seeks significant increases in defense spending commitments from allied nations, calling for up to 5% of their economic output. He also criticized wind energy, claiming it negatively impacts marine life, and returned to his long-standing critique of President Biden’s focus on electric vehicles.
Amidst this, he welcomed news that a federal judge had blocked the release of a report by Special Counsel Jack Smith, dismissing it as potentially “fake.” Despite the wide-ranging nature of the press conference, it remained unclear how seriously Mr. Trump intended some of his more controversial proposals, such as the acquisition of Greenland or renaming geographical landmarks.
Analysis
This news conference showcased Mr. Trump’s willingness to blend bold policy ideas with unfiltered commentary, a hallmark of his public appearances during and after his presidency. The potential implications of his suggested strategies remain to be seen as he approaches Inauguration Day.
