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Trump puts the squeeze
on Canada, Denmark, Panama

Expansionist agenda is the first taste of the deranged president’s second term

By Irwin Rapoport

January 9, 2025

That President-elect Donald Trump has bats in his belfry, is unhinged and deranged, has a completely out-of-tune orchestra, etc. – take your pick – is completely bourne out by his ongoing obsession regarding the takeover of Greenland and the Panama Canal Zone, and using economic to force Canada to become the 51st state. This is more than just intimidation and pre-bargaining tactics to overwhelm those he targets to secure advantageous terms when negotiating deals and contracts.

There are moments when one believes he knows exactly what he is doing and, simultaneously, is bonkers. But it takes two to tango and the Republican-held House of Representatives and Senate are not vociferously calling out and condemning Trump’s latest foreign policy initiatives/megalomaniac moves to annex territory and expand the American empire. Need proof? Check out this article entitled GOP senators laugh off idea of Trump invading Greenland — but dodge serious questions.

As for Trump’s insanity regarding domestic politics, conspiracy theories, and Greenland/Canada/the Panama Canal, this Colbert monologue hits home.

And last Monday, Jon Stewart nailed it when he skewered Trump for his latest ramblings.

…when Trump utters batty thoughts and ideas, we must take him seriously and respond in a way that our position is crystal clear… The key is to put forward strong principled statements that are final and at the same time, call out the crazy, and thus humiliate the bully/dictator.

Trump is the worst American president in history, making Andrew Johnson and George W. Bush look positive in comparison.

One cannot reason with Trump, who is surrounded by sycophants who praise him and shield him from criticism. Furthermore, the more people of sound mind and reason engage with Trump, he simply becomes more adamant and redoubles his efforts. This leads to a difficult and weird situation. Of course, when Trump utters batty thoughts and ideas, we must take him seriously and respond in a way that our position is crystal clear. However, going down the rabbit hole is pointless as he will simply ramble on. The key is to put forward strong principled statements that are final and at the same time, call out the crazy, and thus humiliate the bully/dictator.

Let me add that it was impossible to reason with Adolf Hitler in the 1930s when he successfully bluffed and blustered his way with smaller central and eastern European states and Britain and France to secure territorial gains – the Anschluss with Austria and the dismemberment and annexation of Czechoslovakia. Hitler was seeking lebensraum. Is Trump following a similar policy? We know that he has many advisors who praise the Nazis and Hitler, and Trump often employs Hitlarian rhetoric.

Here is an interview with a Danish member of Parliament responding to Trump:

And here is how Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s wanting to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America:

With the United States being Canada’s largest trading partner and so many jobs on the line and critical revenue at stake, a Canadian prime minister has to walk a fine line when countering Trump’s threat to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canadian imports, which would also apply to Mexico. Justin Trudeau has personally met with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort and just a few days ago, told the incoming president in an X post that “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.”

‘Justin Trudeau… just a few days ago, told the incoming president in an X post that “there isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States.’

A BBC article highlights Trump’s rhetoric with Canada and Trudeau, whom he refers to as the governor of the 51st state:

“You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security,” Trump said at a press conference at his Florida Mar-a Lago home on Tuesday. “Canada and the United States, that would really be something.”

Fox News, Trump’s stalwart propaganda arm, is rallying to defend the president’s expansionist policy. This was demonstrated when Jesse Waters spoke to Ontario Premier Doug Ford:

Waters was in full belligerent and hawkish mode, not taking “no” for an answer belittling Canada and Canadians and proving that he is a die-hard Make America Great Again true believer.

The Canadian Press article entitled Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, begins with:

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.

Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before he takes office on January 20 and as a delegation of aides and advisers that includes Donald Trump Jr. is in Greenland, Trump left open the use of the American military to secure both territories. Trump’s intention marks a rejection of decades of U.S. policy that has prioritized self-determination over territorial expansion.

“I’m not going to commit to that,” Trump said when asked if he would rule out the use of the military. “It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”

‘Trump’s intention marks a rejection of decades of U.S. policy that has prioritized self-determination over territorial expansion.’

– Will Weissert and Zeke Miller, Canadian Press

The Canadian Press article entitled Donald Trump Jr. arrives in Greenland with a message from his dad: ‘We’re going to treat you well’  starts with:

President-elect Donald Trump told residents of Greenland that ‘we’re going to treat you well’ as his oldest son visited the mineral-rich Danish territory that’s home to a large U.S. military base, heightening speculation that the incoming U.S. administration could seek to acquire it.

Earlier, the president-elect posted a video showing a Trump-emblazoned plane landing in Nuuk, the Arctic territory’s capital, in a landscape of snow-capped peaks and fjords. “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland,” Trump wrote. “The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” 

Also from the report: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that the future of Greenland would be decided by Greenland, and called the United States Denmark’s most important ally. “Greenland is not for sale,” Frederiksen said, adding that “we need to stay calm and stick to our principles”

I can go on as we hear Trump rant daily.

Trump won a second term last November based on a combination of reasons. However, it ultimately is reduced to the fact that more than 10 million Biden voters did not bother to vote. This permitted Trump to win the seven key swing states to defeat Vice President Kamala Harris. These absentee voters were aware of the cost of not casting a ballot. And people who voted for Trump and knew better are also responsible for the nightmare we are experiencing – yet another four-year nightmare with drastic consequences.

‘Greenland is not for sale… we need to stay calm and stick to our principles.’

– Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen

It is not just Americans who will suffer, but people across the globe as Trump’s chaotic policies and ramblings shall cause serious disturbances. Without a doubt, the ongoing campaign to protect the environment and biodiversity shall suffer detrimental and long-term impacts.

Many are bewildered by the recent turn of events and are shaking their heads in disbelief. We live in very surreal times and these first shots of the incoming Trump presidency are the first sips of an extremely bitter cup. Who knows what will happen next?


Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WestmountMag.ca or its publishers.

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Irwin RapoportIrwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist with a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Concordia University.



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