During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump revealed his plans to increase American control over Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, while hinting at the use of military or economic coercion if necessary. His remarks have raised concerns about the potential for escalating tensions with U.S. allies.

Military and Economic Threats to Secure Strategic Territories

When questioned about the possibility of military action to secure control over Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump avoided ruling it out, responding, “I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this, we need them for economic security.” His comments suggested a willingness to take a confrontational approach to secure these key regions, despite the low likelihood of actual military conflict. While Trump has previously championed an isolationist foreign policy, his comments indicate a shift toward using coercion to achieve U.S. objectives.

Pursuing Greenland Through Economic Leverage

Trump’s remarks focused heavily on Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark. He stated that the U.S. could use “high-level” tariffs to pressure Denmark into relinquishing control of Greenland, which Trump emphasized was vital for U.S. national security. He also questioned the legality of Denmark’s claim to the territory, adding, “People really don’t even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.”

This statement comes as Trump continues to promote a foreign policy focused on securing key geopolitical and economic interests for the U.S. “That’s for the free world, I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he said, reinforcing his argument that Greenland’s strategic position is essential for global security.

Shifting Focus to Canada: Economic Force and Statehood

Trump also expanded on his plans for Canada, asserting that the U.S. spends heavily to protect its northern neighbor and that the trade deficit with Canada is unsustainable. “We basically protect Canada,” Trump said, adding, “We’re spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. We lose in trade deficits.” In a further escalation, Trump suggested that the U.S. could use economic force to make Canada the 51st state, a proposal he has raised multiple times in recent weeks. While he did not provide specific details on how this would be achieved, his comments suggest that coercion could be a key part of his strategy.

Tensions with Mexico and Other Neighbors

Trump also criticized Mexico during the press conference, emphasizing the U.S. trade deficit with the country and labeling Mexico as “run by the cartels.” He vowed to take a tougher stance on Mexico, including implementing new tariffs if Mexico does not do more to address the flow of migrants and illegal drugs into the U.S. “We have a massive deficit with Mexico, and we help Mexico a lot,” Trump said, calling the country “a very dangerous place.” He suggested that the U.S. would soon announce plans to change its approach to Mexico, reinforcing his broader strategy of economic pressure on neighboring countries.

Renaming the Gulf of Mexico: Symbolic Gesture of U.S. Influence

In an unexpected statement, Trump also revealed plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.” He described the change as “appropriate” and indicated that it would reflect the U.S.’s growing influence in the region. Although he did not provide further details on how such a renaming would be implemented, the comment served as another example of Trump’s vision to assert greater U.S. dominance over its neighbors.

Read More: Greenland’s Strategic Value and the U.S. Desire to Acquire It: Trump Jr.’s Visit Stirs Debate

A Shift Toward Economic Coercion

Throughout the press conference, Trump’s rhetoric signaled a clear departure from traditional diplomacy, with a focus on using economic force, tariffs, and threats of military action to reshape U.S. relations with key countries. While the likelihood of military conflict remains low, the explicit threats could have lasting consequences for the U.S.’s international relationships, particularly with longtime allies.

As Trump prepares to take office for his second term, his remarks reflect a determination to prioritize American interests and extend U.S. influence in regions that he views as essential for national security and economic prosperity. Whether these bold assertions translate into policy remains to be seen, but they mark a significant shift in how the U.S. approaches its neighbors and global strategic priorities.