Trump says US 'needs Greenland for national security purposes’ - as he vows to rename Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America'

7 January 2025, 20:22

Trump says US 'needs Greenland for national security purposes’ - as he vows to rename Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America'
Trump says US 'needs Greenland for national security purposes’ - as he vows to rename Gulf of Mexico 'Gulf of America'. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

Donald Trump has said the United States "needs Greenland for national security purposes" during a speech which saw him vow to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The incoming president made the remarks during a lengthy press conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate, with Trump adding the Panama Canal was also a focus as it is currently being "operated by China".

Asked whether he could reassure the world that military or economic measures would not be implemented in order to get control of both Greenland and the Panama Canal, the incoming President replied "no".

"No, I can't assure you on either of those two," he said.

"But, I can say this, we need them for economic security."

Moments earlier, the leader had suggested Denmark should give up Greenland "for the free world".

Read more: Trump demands return of Israeli hostages by January 20 or 'all hell will break out in Middle East'

Read more: Winston Churchill’s grandson labels civilian suffering in Gaza ‘institutionalised cruelty’

President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci). Picture: Alamy

He added that ‘Nobody knows" if Denmark "have any right title or interest" to the territory, Trump said.

It comes one day after Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to declare Greenland "an incredible place".

"The people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation," Trump wrote on Tuesday.

Hours later, his son, Donald Trump Jr., was seen to visit the territory, posing for photos in front of Hans Egede statue in Nuuk, Greenland's capital.

It's not the first time Trump has shown an interest in the region, speaking on the subject in 2019 during his first term in office,

His bid to buy the island was rejected.

During the conference, Trump touched on a host of "issues" he planned to rectify after coming to power on January 20, including Russia, national security and the neighbouring nations of Canada and Mexico.

Trump's latest comments from his father follow recent suggestions by Trump that the US should own or control the Panama Canal - a key trade route used by the US and one he said was "built for our military".

Donald Trump Jr., center, poses for a photo in front of Hans Egede statue as he arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Donald Trump Jr., center, poses for a photo in front of Hans Egede statue as he arrives in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix via AP). Picture: Alamy

"I'm not going to commit to that now. It might be that you'll have to do something," he says.

"Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country."

During the press conference, Trump said of the world famous trade route: "China has basically taken it over".

"China is at both ends of the Panama Canal. China's running the Panama Canal."

A major waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Panama Canal is owned by the nation of Panama.

Trump demanded that Panama return the canal to the US during his previous stint in office.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'

Washington, DC, USA. 15 Apr 2017. A balloon caricature of President Donald Trump appears at the Tax March protest near the U.S. Capitol.

Buy US chlorinated chicken in return for lower tariffs, Trump tells Britain

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whisky: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

Forensic investigators at Milton Keynes train station after a man was shot dead by armed police officers.

Knifeman shot dead by police in Milton Keynes after moving 'at speed' towards officers named for first time

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour.

British couple found dead in south of France home being ‘treated as murder-suicide’

Kerri Pegg, former governor of HMP Kirkham,

Prison governor denies relationship with drug boss 'Jesse Pinkman' after flip flops carrying his DNA found in her flat

Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch. Her husband has now deleted a recent photograph of the actress which he shared in honour of her 83rd birthday on Wednesday

Julie Goodyear's husband removes rare photo of Coronation Street star after dementia diagnosis amid blacklash

The vehicle was later extinguished after the driver, covered in flames, emerged from the vehicle.

Amsterdam Dam Square car explosion sees driver engulfed in flames - just days after mass stabbing