Threatened Military Force to Seize Greenland and Panama Canal
Trump publicly threatened to use military force to seize Greenland from Denmark and the Panama Canal from Panama, and "economic force" to annex Canada — alienating three close allies simultaneously.
In January 2025, Trump publicly threatened to use military force to acquire Greenland (a territory of Denmark, a NATO ally) and retake the Panama Canal. He also suggested using "economic force" to annex Canada, calling the border between the two countries "an artificially drawn line."
Trump falsely claimed China operates the Panama Canal (it does not — Panama has sovereignty, and a Hong Kong-based company operates two ports, not the canal itself). Panama's president directly rebutted the claim.
The statements caused diplomatic crises with multiple allies simultaneously:
- Denmark's Prime Minister stated "Greenland is not for sale" and called an emergency meeting with Nordic leaders
- Panama's president said "there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal"
- 85% of Greenlanders polled opposed U.S. annexation
- Canadian officials responded with stunned disbelief; trade retaliation was discussed
- The Pentagon was ordered to draw up plans for increased troop presence in Panama
The threats to use military force against allied nations — for territorial acquisition — violated foundational principles of the post-World War II international order that the United States itself had built.