I gave an interview to Times Radio in London earlier this week, and all eyes were on President-elect Donald Trump's comments about Canada, Greenland, and Panama.
It would be real, relevant, and interesting to know how many people in these three countries want to be part of the United States in some way. I think the total number is in the millions. I'm sure some pollster would want to take on that task.
As if to encourage them to open cracks, Trump posted about the matter multiple times earlier this week. Regarding Greenland, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “Don Jr. and my agent landed in Greenland. The reception was great. They and the free world need safety, security, strength, and peace. This is a deal that has to happen. Let’s make Greenland great again!”
As for Canada, now our potential “51st state”, President Trump I posted 2 images Map of North America. Both images depict North America as an expanded United States. We don't need Canada anymore!
Mr. Trump is clearly having a little fun with this whole issue, but like many of his previous moves and policy aspirations, there is real genius and logic behind many of his ideas.
Take Greenland and Panama, for example. Both countries have multiple national and economic security issues and interests that directly impact the United States, he said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago earlier this week. President Trump said“We need Greenland for national security. There are about 45,000 people there…If you look outside, there are Chinese ships everywhere. Russian ships everywhere. Denmark wants to reach a conclusion, but no one knows if they have a proper title or benefit. Perhaps the people will vote for independence or enter the United States. .”
Is the “genius of stability” businessman Trump planning something again? Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) believes so. he said During an appearance on Fox News To discuss the idea of buying Greenland, say something like, “I'm never in favor of taking it by force, but I think it's a responsible conversation… Remember the Louisiana Purchase? Alaska was pretty good too.'' I think so.”
Tens of millions of Americans and people around the world support Trump for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons for this is his practical business experience. Many of our presidents are professional politicians with little or no understanding of the business world. Mr. Trump has consistently proven that experience, talent, and the instinct to act on them matter.
As someone who single-handedly built a global business empire, Trump has regularly thought outside the box and asked questions that others seemed to avoid. As explained in his iconic business book, The Art of the Deal, the question can be as simple as, “So what if I buy now?”
His eye for successful business deals with Mr. Trump is trained on the country, not the buildings and hotels. When he looks at a particular country with problems, he seems to ask himself, “Well, what if we bought this country and made it part of the United States?”
In the business world, the best strategy is often the easiest one. Mr. Fetterman points out that Mr. Trump seems to be really on to something.
This realization, in turn, raises the question of what other countries should be on President Trump's shopping list. If not to actually gain or fold in, at least for situational awareness?
This question is obviously a bit tongue-in-cheek, but there's a very serious element here. Returning to countries that have direct national and economic security implications for the United States, what about Cuba? Although the communist state is rapidly collapsing, its proximity to the United States, combined with the access it provides to adversaries as a staging area for the United States, still makes it a clear and present danger.
Putting aside the corrupt and failed leaders of this country, if we were allowed to poll actual Cubans again, vast numbers would say that the island nation of Cuba should become part of the United States right now. I'm willing to bet that I would like it to be.
Adding to the list of “what ifs,” what would happen to the Bahamas, Haiti, Taiwan, or even North Korea? Trump being Trump means seeing the world through his eyes.
What does he see that we are missing? This may be a question worth pondering before your next cruise across the “Gulf of America.”
Douglas McKinnon He is a former White House and Department of Defense official.
