Cameron Miranda
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, citing national security interests. He also threatened to use economic force to bring Canada into the United States. Trump's comments have been criticised as a break from the foreign policy approaches of recent US presidents and a return to the law of the jungle in international relations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of press conference | 7 January 2025 |
| Location of press conference | Mar-a-Lago, Florida |
| Topics discussed | Legal battles, energy efficiency, environmental regulations, expansionism, transition of power, Biden administration, Panama Canal, Greenland, Canada, Gulf of Mexico, January 6 attack on the Capitol, criminal investigations |
| Threats | Use of military force to take control of Panama and Greenland, steep tariffs on Denmark, Mexico, and Canada |
| Comments on Biden administration | Accused Biden of sabotaging the transition process, attempting to block the reforms voted for by the American people, and making the transition difficult |
| Comments on legal battles | Called it "lawfare" and "weaponization of justice", criticised special counsel Jack Smith and New York Judge Juan Merchan |
| Comments on energy efficiency and environmental regulations | Opposed windmills, low-water pressure in modern showers, and electric heaters |
| Comments on expansionism | Suggested using "economic force" to turn Canada into the 51st state of the US, acquiring Greenland from Denmark for national security reasons, and renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America |
| Comments on Panama Canal | Criticised its management by Panama and the deal brokered by former President Jimmy Carter, suggested that its status was "under discussion" |
| Pledges | "Major pardons" for those convicted in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol, expedited review and environmental exemptions for the data center investment project |
What You'll Learn
Trump's criticism of Carter
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump criticised former President Jimmy Carter, calling his decision to transfer control of the Panama Canal to Panama "a disgrace". He also said that Carter "gave [the Panama Canal] to them for one dollar" and that Panama "laugh [s] at us because they think we're stupid".
Trump's comments about Carter during the press conference contrast with his statement marking the former president's passing, in which he wrote, "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." Trump also called Carter "a good man" and said that he had "the highest respect" for him.
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Trump's threat to use military force to seize control of the Panama Canal
On January 7, 2025,
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Trump's threat to impose high tariffs on Denmark
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, President-elect Donald Trump threatened to "tariff Denmark at a very high level" if the country refused his offer to purchase Greenland, an autonomous island in the Arctic Circle that is part of the Danish realm. Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., landed in Greenland on the same day as the press conference, along with three allies of his father, to meet with members of the community.
Trump's threat of high tariffs on Denmark could have significant implications for Americans' access to Danish exports. While Trump did not specify the level of tariffs he planned to impose, significant levies could result in skyrocketing consumer prices for certain products. This includes popular medications such as Ozempic, a type 2 injectable diabetes medication manufactured by the Danish firm Novo Nordisk.
In addition to Ozempic, Novo Nordisk also produces Wegovy, a weight-loss injectable, and is one of the top insulin exporters to the U.S. According to Barron's, more than 75% of U.S. insulin imports came from Denmark last year. Tariffs on Danish products could also increase prices for blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy and lead to price hikes for other products such as Lego and hearing aids.
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Trump's plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico
During a news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, 7 January 2025, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America". Trump stated that the new name has a "beautiful ring" to it, and that it is appropriate.
This plan to rename the Gulf of Mexico is part of Trump's broader vision of American expansionism, which includes his repeated references to Canada as the "51st State", demands that Denmark cede Greenland, and calls for Panama to return the Panama Canal.
In response to Trump's announcement, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said that she would instruct her staff to draft legislation to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico. She added that this would help fund the changing of maps and administrative policy materials within the federal government.
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Trump's criticism of Biden's handling of the transition
President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal about his criticisms of President Joe Biden's handling of the transition, accusing the Biden administration of making his return to the White House challenging. Trump has taken to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his discontent, stating that Biden is doing "everything possible" to hinder the transition process.
Trump's criticisms centre on several factors, including the state of inflation, high-interest rates, and the administration's involvement with the courts. He has also pledged to reverse Biden's ban on new offshore oil and gas drilling in some areas, stating that he will "drill, baby, drill".
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with the transition process, stating: "They told me that we're gonna do everything possible to make this transition to the new administration very smooth. It's not smooth."
In contrast, Biden has emphasised the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and has invited Trump to the White House, aiming for a smooth transition. Biden's press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, has described Biden as "an institutionalist" who "believes in our democracy and doing the right thing for this country".
Despite the criticisms, members of Trump's team, including his incoming chief of staff, Susie Wiles, have acknowledged the cooperation of the Biden administration during the transition, particularly highlighting the helpfulness of Biden's chief of staff, Jeff Zients.
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Frequently asked questions
Trump did not break the law in his press conference, but he did make inaccurate claims about his predecessor's energy policies and repeat falsehoods about the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the criminal investigations into him.
The House Jan. 6 committee urged the Justice Department to consider prosecuting Trump for four different crimes, including obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to make a false statement, and inciting or aiding an insurrection.
The public reaction to Trump's press conference was mixed. Some people supported Trump and agreed with his claims, while others criticized him for spreading misinformation and making false statements.
