Trump held a press conference on the subject: America must recover the lost land.
The Panama Canal Treaty was handed over to Pakistan in 1977, and it was officially handed over in 1999. Now the annual toll is as high as billions of dollars. Trump feels that the money has been thrown into the water and has to get it back. He didn't elaborate on how to want it, but when reporters asked about military or economic means, he said he wouldn't rule it out.
Denmark’s island of Greenland, he repeated, he wanted to buy in 2019, this time adding, that there is oil, natural gas, rare earth on the island, and also controls the Arctic navigation route, the national security depends on it.
As for Canada, he suggested directly merging it into the United States. As the 51st state, it would save the trouble of border tariffs. Canada's GDP exceeds 2 trillion yuan, and it is rich in oil and mineral resources. Annexing it is equivalent to picking up ready-made products.
The Gulf of Mexico, he proposed to change its name to the Gulf of the United States, on the grounds that the cartel in the Gulf was causing trouble, and the United States had to control it. Throughout the press conference, he named these four countries back and forth, with a clear implication: either give in or taste the economic stick or other pressure.
This routine sounds like the revival of the Monroe Doctrine in the 19th century. Under modern international law, it is purely provocative.
What's more, he also dragged China down.
During the press conference, he repeatedly said that the Panama Canal allowed China to take advantage of loopholes, and Greenland was full of Chinese ships. What about the facts? Chinese enterprises operate ports at both ends of the canal through Hong Kong's Hutchison Whampoa. In 2016, the investment under the framework of "the belt and road initiative" was a purely commercial activity, and the control of the canal was always in the hands of Panama.
Saying this out was equivalent to adding fuel to the friction between China and the United States, and the United Nations Security Council later quarreled over it. my country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly responded, saying that this was a groundless accusation and that China's investment was legal and had no sovereignty involved. Panamanian President Mulino also stepped forward and emphasized that the canal is national property and will not be handed over to others.
Canadian Foreign Minister Jolie said in Parliament that in the face of the threat will not retreat, and Mexican President Sean Baum also stated that sovereignty cannot be violated. Danish Prime Minister Fredriksson convened the cabinet, the autonomous government of Greenland directly stated that the islanders' livelihoods, fishing, mining, all involved.
Global media fryer, CNN analyzed this as Trump's expansionism, BBC said it was like the resurgence of imperialism. To put it bluntly, the U.S. debt is 36 trillion yuan, and the interest exceeds the military expenditure. He is anxious and wants to find a breakthrough from the territory.
After taking office, Trump signed an executive order in the first week, imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods. The border customs was busy and containers piled up like mountains. The name change order of the Gulf of Mexico was also issued, and the federal map was updated. Although the coastal governors complained, the federal government could only swallow it.
During the Panama Canal negotiations, the United States pushed the acquisition proposal, but the Pakistani side directly rejected it. The Canal Administration strengthened the gates, and the rate increased slightly by 10%. The shipowners complained.
The Danish parliament passed a resolution, Greenland mining suspended part of the project, local fishermen blocked ports protested, and Iceland also reconciled. Canadian Prime Minister Carney flipped Washington, at the top, saying that sovereignty is not coded, after the parliament back passed the anti-U.S. bill, the border built a grid. Mexico countered, raised taxes on U.S. agricultural products, enhanced Gulf naval cruise, and Chinese ships collaborated.
This wave of operations has opened up the internal cracks of NATO, Canada and Denmark have grouped small circles to discuss the response. At the EU summit in Berlin, Macron knocked on the table to say allies can’t do so, Germany joined, anti-dumping investigation launched, American cars in Brussels customs blocked. The United Nations Security Council, China and Russia represented in turn called the US expansion ambition, French backed in a loud voice, and the western camp shaken.
Within the Trump team, the advisors persuaded him to shake his hand, but he sparked on social media, saying the weak are afraid of the big. In March, at a joint congressional meeting, he said Greenland was the security key, all options were on the table, parliamentarians applauded and Democratic leaders protested.
This reflects the internal and external troubles of the United States. Under the high debt, expansionism is to drink poison to quench thirst, gain resources in the short term, and lose allies in the long term. China's investment is legal, but it has been targeted. The game between China and the United States has intensified, and Latin American countries are struggling to survive.
In history books, this passage is mostly written as "Embers of Empire". Trump's ambition is greater than reality, leaving behind a mess of diplomatic affairs.
Trump has always been hard, but times have changed, his sense of sovereignty has become strong, and the United Nations has become strict. His old tricks will hurt when he hits the south wall.
What is the future? After the debt does not decrease, the allies do not return, and the dream of expansion is shattered, the United States has to think carefully about how to tap its potential from the inside, and don't always stare at other people's bowls.
Our country works steadily, invests on the right path, and does not get involved in right and wrong. This also reminds the world that rumors stop at the wise.
reference
Trump announces suspension of all trade negotiations with Canada-Xinhuanet