President-elect Donald Trump has stirred controversy during a lengthy press conference held at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, where he discussed his bold ambitions regarding the Panama Canal and Greenland.

Trump’s remarks, delivered in a rambling fashion over the span of an hour, included a refusal to rule out the use of military or economic coercion to make Panama relinquish control of the canal, a critical waterway constructed by the United States over a century ago. He further expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a territory currently controlled by Denmark, stating, ‘We need them for economic security — the Panama Canal was built for our military.’

When pressed by reporters, Trump found it difficult to offer assurances against the use of military force, saying, ‘I can’t assure you on either of those two.’ His comments have reignited debates about U.S. territorial integrity, as well as claims of potential confrontation with allies like Panama and Denmark.

Experts have noted that Trump’s statements draw parallels to historical precedents, such as the actions taken during the Spanish-American War. Analysts warn that Trump’s approach signals a drastic shift in the nation’s foreign policy, where ‘America First’ is interpreted less as isolationism and more as aggressive territorial claims.

Trump also informed attendees that he has considered leveraging financial pressures on Denmark and even suggested that Canada could be brought into the U.S. fold as its 51st state, saying, ‘If Canada remained a sovereign state, it could crush its financial relationship with us.’

This bold rhetoric raises important questions as Trump’s administration prepares to take office. The reactions from global leaders and allies remain skeptical about his ambitions, particularly given historical attempts to acquire Greenland, which have consistently faced barriers and objections.

Danish leaders and Greenlandic officials have explicitly stated their opposition to any sale, with Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede affirming, ‘We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.’ Meanwhile, Panama’s President has responded firmly to Trump’s criticisms, asserting that ‘every square meter of the Panama Canal belongs to Panama.’

As the world watches, Trump’s administration may embark on a path that redefines long-standing diplomatic norms.