Trump's Territorial Teases: Greenland, Panama, and Canada

President Trump has been hinting at expanding US territory by suggesting the US could absorb Canada, take over the Panama Canal, and even purchase Greenland from Denmark. These ideas, which Trump has mentioned casually, have raised eyebrows due to their similarity to the 19th-century concept of Manifest Destiny. Trump has used these suggestions to put pressure on other countries, like when he threatened to take back the Panama Canal unless fees on US ships were lowered. However, it's unclear if these are serious proposals or just rhetorical flourishes to grab attention. For example, Trump's proposal to buy Greenland was initially downplayed in 2019 but resurfaced recently. Meanwhile, his suggestion to annex Canada seems more like a joke, possibly a response to a recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. These territorial teases have sparked reactions from world leaders, with Panama's president insisting the canal is not for sale. While Trump's team hasn't clarified his intentions, some see these statements as part of his dealmaking strategy.