Trump’s expansionist threats herald a stormy bond between the US and its allies.

Donald Trump’s imperialist strategy on Greenland, Canada, and Panama connects foreign and trade policy to a search for new deals.

Trump call to make Canada as 51st State

Since his re-election, Donald Trump has drawn plenty of attention to plans made on social media about Canada, the Panama Canal, and Greenland.

A day later he threatened to use “economic force” to make Canada the 51st American State.

Trudeau and Canada's cabinet ministers have also sought an audience with the President-elect at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to discuss ways to circumvent Trump’s damaging tariff threats.?

A far greater threat to Canada’s national interest than his annexation bluster.

Some have shrugged off Trump’s suggestion Canada should “become the 51st state” as an old joke while others dismiss it as a bad political idea given Canada’s blue-leaning.

Annexation efforts date back to early US history.

The idea of a union between the US and Canada dates back to when early American leaders invaded Quebec during the American Revolution.

A few decades later the US failed to invade Canada during the War of 1812 in defeat over the Royal Navy’s moves to bring American sailors into their ship.

Mount Royal University Duane Bratt a political science professor invasion fear continued through the American Civil War and in the US for expansion was destined to control the continent.

Today, Canada and the US have been committed military and economic partners for more than a century.

But some wonder whether Trump's jabs against his country's longtime ally could hit at hopes for the US. To control more of the Western hemisphere.

Bratt said “Do we want to go back to 1812 the 1860s? Possibly Trump does but I’m not too sure American or Canadians do”

?Justin Trudeau's exit confuses Canada.

?Justin Trudeau has been at Canada’s helm for nearly a decade. On Monday announced his resignation paving the way for a new leader.

The move was likely experts said but the timing of the announcement mainly comes after Trump's Tariff threats and his jabs labelling Trudeau as Canada’s “governor”

After Trump threatened 25% tariffs to request Canada to crack down on border security and drug trafficking Trudeau jetted to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida to move some criticism

?Justin Trudeau's exit leaves him a lame-duck Prime Minister, while Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre will end Liberal rule in the country's next election.

Pierre Poilievre said in an interview on CTV last month “My message to incoming President Trump is the first foremost. Canada will never be the 51st state of the US.

?Canadian politician Anita Anand the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade is a front-runner as prime minister to replace him.

Others being considered are Dominic LeBlanc, Chrystia Freeland, Melanie Joly, and Mark Carney.

What has Trump said about Greenland

At a news conference with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida.

?On Tuesday US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to acquire Greenland which he said was critical to American security.

?Trump said “No I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this we need them for economic security”

?President-elect Donald Trump took to his own social media platform Truth Social to declare both his future plans for green land and his delight over his son's trip.

?During his first term, Trump mussed about purchasing Greenland and called off a scheduled trip to Denmark in August 2019 after the country’s prime minister dismissed the idea.

Why does Trump Want Greenland?

Greenland part of NATO through membership of Denmark has strategic significance for the US.

The US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik air base in Greenland northwest.

Green land is geographically part of the North American continent and it is vital for the US to stop any other major powers from establishing a base on the island.

The island whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, boasts minerals, oils, and natural gas wealth but the development has been slow.

Greenland has banned extraction of oil and natural gas for environmental reasons and the mining sector has been in red tape and opposition from Indigenous people.

In total Denmark spends just under $1 billion each year on Greenland.

Who Owns Greenland?

Greenland has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years but now controls most of its domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm.

Greenland's economy relies on fishing, mining which accounts for over 95% of exports, and annual subsidies from Denmark, roughly over half of the public budget.

It became a formal territory of Denmark in 1953 and was subject to the Danish constitution meaning any change to its legal status would require constitutional amendment.

In 2009 the island was granted broad self-governing autonomy including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.

Greenland Prime Minster Mute Egede who stepped up a push for independence has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide their future’