President-elect Donald Trump has suggested that he may use military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, citing their importance to American national security. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated, “I’m not going to commit to that… It might be that you’ll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country… We need Greenland for national security purposes.”

Trump’s comments mark a significant departure from decades of U.S. policy, which has prioritized self-determination over territorial expansion. The President-elect’s remarks have also raised eyebrows, given that Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a longtime U.S. ally and NATO member.

Earlier, Trump posted a video of his private plane landing in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, accompanied by the message, “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland… The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

Greenland’s government has since clarified that Donald Trump Jr.’s visit was taking place “as a private individual” and not as an official visit. The government also stated that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.

In related news, Trump has also expressed his intention to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” saying it has a “beautiful ring to it.” Additionally, Trump criticized President Joe Biden’s decision to ban offshore energy drilling in most federal waters, vowing to reverse the move on his first day in office.