Panama: Sovereignty over the Canal is Non-Negotiable; Denmark's Reaction to Trump's Economic Threat

In response to statements from the elected President of the United States, who did not rule out the possibility of using military options to regain control over the Panama Canal, Panama stated that its sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable. Denmark also once again rejected Trump's proposal to buy Greenland. On Tuesday, January 8, during a press conference at his residence in Florida, Donald Trump, when asked if he could assure the world that he would not take military or economic action to dominate the Panama Canal and Greenland, said: 'No, I cannot assure you about these two matters. But I can say that we need them for our economic security.' This statement prompted a reaction from Javier Martínez Acha, the Foreign Minister of Panama, who said: 'Our sovereignty over the canal is non-negotiable and is part of our historical struggles.' He added that José Raúl Molino, the President of Panama, has clearly expressed the country's position regarding the Panama Canal. After winning the presidential election on November 5, Trump has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of the Panama government and the lack of Washington's control over Greenland, stating that the U.S. must regain the Panama Canal and that Greenland should also be part of U.S. territory. Trump's threats to reclaim the Panama Canal and annex Greenland to the U.S. were highlighted in his Christmas message. The construction of the canal began in 1880 by the French, but the U.S. completed it from 1904 to 1914 based on the decision of President Theodore Roosevelt. The U.S. government transferred control of the Panama Canal, an important shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to the government of Panama in 1999 during the second term of Democratic President Bill Clinton. Trump claims that Panama charges 'excessive' fees for ships passing through the canal, and if this continues, the waterway should be returned to the United States. During his press conference on Tuesday, Trump also deemed the annexation of Greenland to U.S. territory as vital for the country's security, warning that if Denmark rejects his proposal to buy Greenland, tariffs would be imposed on Denmark. Greenland is considered part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Copenhagen has emphasized that Greenland is not for sale. Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, immediately responded to Trump's remarks by saying: 'I don't think it is right to fight each other using economic leverage when we are allies and close partners.' Trump had previously expressed interest in expanding U.S. territory and had mentioned his desire to purchase Greenland. This statement from Trump is a rare example of an American leader suggesting that he can force an independent country to cede territory. These remarks may also indicate potential changes in U.S. diplomacy under Trump's presidency. On Wednesday, France also warned Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, that he should not threaten the sovereign borders of the European Union. Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Foreign Minister, emphasized in an interview with France Inter radio: 'The European Union will not allow any country to threaten its sovereign borders.' He added that despite not believing in the likelihood of a U.S. attack on Greenland, 'we have entered an era where the law of the stronger has returned.'