Among the Presidents of USA, Donald Trump has recently attracted a lot of attention to his boost on Greenland, boasting of taking over the Panama Canal too mainly for security and economic reasons. In a press conference incurred recently Trump spoked about significance of these places and supposed that military force to reach the goals may be used.
Why Greenland?
The largest island in the world Greenland holds resources including rare earth minerals, oil and natural gas. Because of this, it is crucial for defense and forms new trading routes because it is situated in the Arctic region. Trump underlined its importance for the American security as a response to China and Russia interest in the Arctic region. “Without Greenland you are going to lose the free world,” he said.
It also has the U.S. military Pituffik space base from WW II, and could develop into central green energy with lithium/graphite. However, when Trump expressed an interest in acquiring Greenland, meeting with Mute Egede, Greenland’s Prime Minister dismissed it by saying, “Greenland is the country for the Greenlandic people.” This was backed by Denmark, the country that administers Greenland since the island enjoys a large degree of self-governance.
Why the Panama Canal?
The Panama canal that joins the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean for transport is responsible for dealing with the 40% of the total containers transporting in the united state. Trump accused China of undue interference with the canal, saying that it was given away then abused. But, Panama’s leaders and China have dismissed such accusations, insisting that the canal is impartial and belongs to Panama alone.
Like Greenland, the Panama Canal too has historical connect with the United States, but issues of state sovereignty under today’s International law and concept of ‘self determination’ stand as major impediments to Trump’s plan. Unlike previous offers such as Alaska, these offers have met stiff resistance from presidents, prime ministers and governors of the affected countries.
