Quotes
Trump is piling the pressure on Trudeau, I think it's part of a negotiation over tariffs,
Abrams said
It's all about leverage and flexing. The number two user of the Panama Canal is China and he's trying to thwart their influence in Latin America,
said Tricia McLaughlin, an adviser to Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump's choice to co-chair a government efficiency commission with the CEO of Tesla Elon MuskIt's a message to Trudeau that you and Canada are the little brother, don't bite the hand that feeds you until you have paid your fair share in tariffs,
McLaughlin, Ramaswamy's adviser, agreed, saying ... she saidThe idea is that what's good for America is good for the rest of the world,
said Victoria Coates, a high-ranking national security official during Trump's 2017-2021 term
It's hard to tell how much of this he really wants, and how much is the latest soundbite that will be heard around the world,
said Frank Sesno, a professor at George Washington University and former White House correspondent
He puts other leaders in position of having to figure out what is literal and what is not,
he told AFPWe’ll see about that!” ... Welcome to the United States Canal!”
Trump replied on Truth Social, adding another post with an AI image of a United States flag over the canal zone and the caption
No one can answer why we subsidize Canada to the tune of over $100,000,000 a year? Makes no sense! Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State,
Trump declared last week in a 3 a.m. post on his social media siteThe fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop. The United States has a vested interest in the secure, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal, and that was always understood,
Trump saidStrategically it’s interesting, and we’d be interested, but we’ll talk to them a little bit.”
He told reporters in 2019 about the island
First we have to find out whether or not they have any interest,
he addedTo the extent that U.S. activities aim to take control of Danish territory, it must be prohibited and countered. Then they can't be there at all,
said Jarlov, who heads parliament's defense committee
If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question."
In a separate post, Trump wrote
To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!"
he addedThis complete 'rip-off' of our Country will immediately stop."
He addedFor purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,
Trump wrote on Truth Social
Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,
Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, said in a written comment
I know first-hand the power of diplomacy to advance American interests and strengthen alliances, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Europe to promote the President's agenda. I look forward to working with the dedicated teams at U.S. Embassy Copenhagen and U.S. Consulate Nuuk in Greenland to deepen the bonds between our countries."
Ken Howery wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter
Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)
Mulino said in his statement, which was released on X
Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States,
he added