Trump shifts from isolationism to expansionism — potentially using military power
The president-elect aims to incorporate Greenland and reclaim authority over the Panama Canal.
TroibNews 
President-elect Donald Trump has not dismissed the possibility of employing military force as he pursues the annexation of Greenland and aims to regain control of the Panama Canal.
These striking comments emerged during a wide-ranging press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, marking a shift in Trump's “America First” strategy from the isolationism seen in his initial term to a more interventionist stance. This approach seeks not only to acquire new territories but also to enhance America's influence worldwide. The implications of Trump’s second presidency could be significant on the global stage, prompting reactions from international leaders.
“Since we won the election, a couple of months since we won the election, the whole perception of the whole world is different. People from other countries have called me, ‘Thank you. Thank you,’” Trump stated. “We're going to have to settle some big problems that are going on right now.”
Positioning himself to take office later this month amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as increasing assertiveness from Russia and China, Trump also reiterated his intent to implement a comprehensive set of tariffs that could create friction with much of the international community, including neighboring nations Mexico and Canada.
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his ambitions to annex both Greenland and Canada for both strategic and economic reasons. He promised not to use military force against Canada in this pursuit, opting instead for economic pressure to transform it into the 51st state, though he did not extend the same assurance regarding Greenland.
Drawing from his personal branding history, Trump declared in his press conference his intent to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Trump attributed his apparent change in perspective to the altered geopolitical climate since his previous presidency. He claimed to have "defeated ISIS" and "had no wars" during his first term. Now, he suggested, he returns to a “world that is burning.”
While some of the president-elect’s foreign policy ambitions seem at odds with his historically domestic-first approach, Trump emphasized that these strategies are fundamentally about national security and economic well-being.
His comments come at a time when family members and associates from his incoming administration are working to establish a more globally focused MAGA agenda. Donald Trump Jr. recently visited Greenland unofficially with longtime Trump associates Segior Gor and Charlie Kirk to create content for a podcast, although he is not scheduled to meet with any government officials.
Trump has long expressed an interest in purchasing Greenland—an area of strategic significance that possesses valuable natural resources, including rare earth minerals—from Denmark, a bid he last attempted in 2019.
“People [of Greenland] are going to probably vote for independence or to come into the United States,” Trump predicted.
In reaction to Trump Jr.’s visit, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected the notion of Greenland being for sale, emphasizing that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
“On one hand, I am pleased regarding the rise in American interest in Greenland,” Frederiksen conveyed to Danish broadcaster TV 2. “But of course it is important that it takes place in a way where it is the Greenlanders’ decision, what their future holds.”
At the same time, the president-elect warned that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is not achieved before he assumes office.
“It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he added.
Trump’s appointed special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who recently returned from Doha, Qatar, commented briefly alongside the president-elect, stating that negotiators are “on the verge” of a resolution to release Israeli hostages, crediting the progress to Trump.
“His stature, what he says he expects, the red lines he’s put out there — that’s driving this negotiation,” Witkoff stated.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, criticizing former President Jimmy Carter’s decision to hand over control of the canal to Panama for $1.
These statements gain further weight as Carter lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda, with U.S. and foreign dignitaries preparing to attend his funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday.
While expressing admiration for Carter, stating he “liked” him “as a man,” Trump emphasized he was “strongly against” the former president’s choice to relinquish control of the canal.
As he considers the future of Canada, Trump also floated the idea of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky entering the political arena as a potential successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump recounted that during their conversation, Gretzky inquired if Trump was running for prime minister or governor.
“Let’s make it governor,” Trump replied. “I like it better.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
These striking comments emerged during a wide-ranging press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, marking a shift in Trump's “America First” strategy from the isolationism seen in his initial term to a more interventionist stance. This approach seeks not only to acquire new territories but also to enhance America's influence worldwide. The implications of Trump’s second presidency could be significant on the global stage, prompting reactions from international leaders.
“Since we won the election, a couple of months since we won the election, the whole perception of the whole world is different. People from other countries have called me, ‘Thank you. Thank you,’” Trump stated. “We're going to have to settle some big problems that are going on right now.”
Positioning himself to take office later this month amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as increasing assertiveness from Russia and China, Trump also reiterated his intent to implement a comprehensive set of tariffs that could create friction with much of the international community, including neighboring nations Mexico and Canada.
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his ambitions to annex both Greenland and Canada for both strategic and economic reasons. He promised not to use military force against Canada in this pursuit, opting instead for economic pressure to transform it into the 51st state, though he did not extend the same assurance regarding Greenland.
Drawing from his personal branding history, Trump declared in his press conference his intent to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
Trump attributed his apparent change in perspective to the altered geopolitical climate since his previous presidency. He claimed to have "defeated ISIS" and "had no wars" during his first term. Now, he suggested, he returns to a “world that is burning.”
While some of the president-elect’s foreign policy ambitions seem at odds with his historically domestic-first approach, Trump emphasized that these strategies are fundamentally about national security and economic well-being.
His comments come at a time when family members and associates from his incoming administration are working to establish a more globally focused MAGA agenda. Donald Trump Jr. recently visited Greenland unofficially with longtime Trump associates Segior Gor and Charlie Kirk to create content for a podcast, although he is not scheduled to meet with any government officials.
Trump has long expressed an interest in purchasing Greenland—an area of strategic significance that possesses valuable natural resources, including rare earth minerals—from Denmark, a bid he last attempted in 2019.
“People [of Greenland] are going to probably vote for independence or to come into the United States,” Trump predicted.
In reaction to Trump Jr.’s visit, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly rejected the notion of Greenland being for sale, emphasizing that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders.”
“On one hand, I am pleased regarding the rise in American interest in Greenland,” Frederiksen conveyed to Danish broadcaster TV 2. “But of course it is important that it takes place in a way where it is the Greenlanders’ decision, what their future holds.”
At the same time, the president-elect warned that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if a hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is not achieved before he assumes office.
“It will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” he added.
Trump’s appointed special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, who recently returned from Doha, Qatar, commented briefly alongside the president-elect, stating that negotiators are “on the verge” of a resolution to release Israeli hostages, crediting the progress to Trump.
“His stature, what he says he expects, the red lines he’s put out there — that’s driving this negotiation,” Witkoff stated.
Additionally, Trump reiterated his desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, criticizing former President Jimmy Carter’s decision to hand over control of the canal to Panama for $1.
These statements gain further weight as Carter lies in state in the Capitol Rotunda, with U.S. and foreign dignitaries preparing to attend his funeral at the National Cathedral on Thursday.
While expressing admiration for Carter, stating he “liked” him “as a man,” Trump emphasized he was “strongly against” the former president’s choice to relinquish control of the canal.
As he considers the future of Canada, Trump also floated the idea of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky entering the political arena as a potential successor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump recounted that during their conversation, Gretzky inquired if Trump was running for prime minister or governor.
“Let’s make it governor,” Trump replied. “I like it better.”
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
