Treading Lightly

World leaders reacted with a mix of criticism and concern over US President-elect Donald Trump’s comments this week in which he refused to rule out using military or economic force to acquire Greenland or retake the Panama Canal, a stance that has heightened tensions with key allies and raised concerns about the potential destabilization of global diplomatic and trade relationships, the BBC reported.

The remarks came during a press conference, where the president-elect said the Danish-administered territory and the canal were “critical” for US security, particularly amid growing Chinese and Russian influence.

He highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance for monitoring Arctic shipping routes and military activity, as well as its untapped rare-earth mineral deposits essential for high-tech industries.

However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to Greenland, saying the territory “belongs to the Greenlanders” and that only they can decide on their future.

She emphasized that Denmark needed to work closely with the United States, while Danish politicians are hoping to avoid confrontations through high-level meetings between Copenhagen and Washington, the Guardian noted.

Home to a US military base in the northwest, the former Danish colony became self-governing in 1979, with the right to vote for independence granted in 2009.

Greenland has long aspired to independence and many of its 57,000 residents envision a future free from Danish control. But economic challenges remain a major barrier, as Greenland relies on Danish subsidies that account for two-thirds of its budget.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede and his pro-independence government have advocated for greater autonomy while acknowledging the need for a robust economic foundation, including leveraging Greenland’s vast reserves of rare-earth minerals and developing sustainable industries, NBC News added.

Even so, Egede expressed concern over Trump’s “serious statements,” while stressing that “Greenland is not for sale and will never be for sale.”

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the remarks, emphasizing that “the principle of inviolability of borders applies universally” and warning against escalating rhetoric that undermines international norms.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also weighed in by describing the comments as reflective of an era where “the survival of the fittest” dominates geopolitics.

“So, should we allow ourselves to be intimidated and overcome with worry, clearly not. We must wake up, build up our strength,” the French foreign minister added.

Despite Barrot’s comments, it’s not clear how the European Union might prevent a potential invasion, as it has no defensive capabilities of its own and most of the countries in the bloc are part of the NATO military alliance.

When asked by reporters how the 27-nation union would respond in the event of an attack, the European Commission skirted the question by saying it “will not go into the specifics” about the comments and described the case as a case “very theoretical,” according to Politico.

It added, however, that any military action against Greenland would invoke the EU’s mutual defense clause under Article 42(7) of the Treaty of the European Union.

Elsewhere, Panamanian officials did not take a softer approach: Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha labeled Trump’s remarks about the canal “irreversible and unacceptable,” the Spain-based news agency EFE reported.

He explained that the waterway’s sovereignty has been enshrined in treaties since its transfer from US control in 1999. Martínez-Acha also rejected the US leader’s allegations that China controls the canal and reaffirmed Panama’s commitment to its neutrality and global trade mission.

Analysts warned that Trump’s rhetoric could alienate allies and destabilize fragile geopolitical balances in the Arctic and Central America.

Peter Aagaard, a professor at Denmark’s Roskilde University, told NBC News that Greenland’s importance to great powers is growing, particularly as climate change opens up Arctic trade routes.

On Panama, observers have highlighted the historical sensitivities surrounding the Panama Canal and warned that Trump’s comments could strain US-Panama relations.

Diplomatic experts view the canal as a vital global trade artery. They cautioned that any attempt by the US to regain control through coercion could damage its reputation and influence in Latin America.