Republican lawmakers are preoccupied with President-elect Trump's ambitions to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal, a grand plan the commander-in-chief put back on the table during the Christmas and New Year's recess. It's a thing.
Republican senators and congressmen see the prospect of a U.S. occupation of Greenland as particularly far-fetched, but are wary of confronting President Trump.
The idea of resuming direct U.S. control over the Panama Canal also seems unlikely, although some Republicans believe the U.S. has vital national security interests in protecting the canal's neutrality. It is claimed that there is.
They also warn that China is seeking to expand its influence in Latin America, which may be why President Trump floated the idea of taking back control of the canal just before Christmas. .
But Republican leaders on Capitol Hill say they see no path for Trump to win Greenland or the Panama Canal, and the idea has not been seriously discussed in Washington since Trump left the White House four years ago. It is pointed out that this is not being done.
“I don't think it's for sale,” said Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with a laugh about Greenland.
McCaul said China has a presence on both ends of the Panama Canal, but he doesn't see a path for the U.S. to take back the canal.
“Maybe he's mentioned it a little bit, but if that's what he's saying, I don't see how he could legally buy it,” he said. Said.
Asked if President Trump would consider a possible military invasion of Greenland or Panama, McCaul laughed and replied, “I don't think so.”
“I think he's talking freely. He would love to have Greenland. He seems to really like Greenland,” he said of Trump.
“I think he thinks Jimmy Carter sold it for $1, which wasn't a good deal,” he said of the Panama Canal. “We've given up a lot.”
McCaul said lawmakers should brace themselves for Trump to suddenly introduce major foreign policy ideas, which have already caused unrest on Capitol Hill.
“You're going to see a lot more of this. That's what Trump does: try to analyze what's real and what's not real,” he said.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) laughed when asked about President Trump's territorial plans for Greenland and the Panama Canal. He noted that the United States has a history of territorial expansion, even though it has not been seriously discussed outside of President Trump's social media accounts.
“The United States didn't always have 50 states. We gained Alaska and the Hawaiian Islands and even Texas in 1845, so I haven't heard any real discussion other than what President Trump has said.” Cornyn said.
Mr. Cornyn expressed respect for the president-elect and said he would be “willing to listen” to Mr. Trump's ideas, but did not expect a detailed proposal to be submitted to Congress any time soon.
One Republican senator joked that Greenland was ripe for acquisition because it lacked a significant standing military.
“I wonder where their army and navy will come from,” the senator joked.
Last month, President Trump surprised policy makers by posting on social media that the United States felt it was absolutely necessary to own and control Greenland.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) understated President Trump's ambitions to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal.
“I think he was speaking ambitiously,” he said of the president-elect.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), a staunch Trump ally and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the president-elect is serious about taking over Greenland.
“I think he's thinking seriously about that, and I think he's thinking seriously about the Panama Canal,” he said.
But Scott acknowledged that Trump is unsure how he will get Denmark and Panama to buy into his vision. Greenland is a territory of Denmark and its people are also Danish citizens.
Some Republicans say they see Trump's comments on territorial expansion as a “negotiation” stance that could strengthen future diplomacy.
But Denmark, Greenland and Panama don't seem to be amused by this tactic.
Last month, the Danish government announced it would increase defense spending for Greenland by at least $1.5 billion in response to President Trump's comments.
Congress last month passed the annual defense bill authorizing $895 billion in military spending in 2025.
Democrats didn't find President Trump's test balloon funny at all. They argued that the proposal could harm U.S. alliances and undermine international stability.
“It's hard to take seriously his comments threatening to fill the Panama Canal and acquire Greenland,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“One of the things I forgot about the previous Trump administration was that the president-elect often had a tendency to throw out deadly serious things as just casual tweets, talking points, and thought bubbles.
“It is clear from their reactions that neither Panama nor Denmark nor Greenland welcome these proposals, and that these are important allies. “I think we should try to find ways to partner with them,” he said.
Greenland Prime Minister Moute Egede, who wants instead to establish independence from Denmark, pushed back against President Trump's comments, declaring that his homeland is not for sale.
“Greenland is ours. We are not and will never be for sale. We must not lose our age-old struggle for freedom,” he said. .
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that “foreign policy is not a real estate game.”
“This is about the effective use of American power, and threatening these countries to effectively seize territory is not an effective use of American power,” he said.
