Trump's Words on Expansion: A European Perspective

President-elect Donald Trump's recent comments about expanding U. S. territory have sparked concern across Europe. He suggested that U. S. power should extend into Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. This has raised eyebrows, especially in Europe, where leaders are trying to convince Russia's Vladimir Putin not to redraw borders by force. However, many European officials have responded calmly, believing Trump won't actually use force. They see his words as more about making a splash than actual policy. Still, analysts worry that such talk could harm U. S. -European relations. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have both expressed their belief that Trump won't invade Greenland. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also weighed in, saying that no country wants to be erased from the map. The British and French foreign ministers don't foresee a U. S. invasion of Greenland, but they see Trump's remarks as a warning sign. Greenland's prime minister, Múte B. Egede, said his people don't want to be American but are open to greater cooperation with the U. S. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the U. S. their closest ally and emphasized the need for unity. European security analysts agree that a U. S. invasion of Denmark is unlikely, but they're still worried about potential damage to trans-Atlantic ties and NATO. Some analysts fear that NATO could even fall apart before Trump's inauguration. Some experts see Trump's interest in Greenland as part of his "Make America Great Again" agenda, noting that Greenland has valuable rare earth minerals. However, others warn that suggesting borders can be changed is a dangerous precedent. They fear it could lead to more conflicts and uncertainty.