Greenland threat adds to Trump comments alienating U.S. allies

Leaders in Greenland and Europe have all rejected any idea that the island is for sale. The government of Denmark has shot down the idea of the United States or anyone else buying Greenland while stressing the need for continued security cooperation between Denmark and the U.S. The island’s prime minister, Múte Egede, who is in favor of full independence for Greenland, has also rejected the idea that anyone could buy the territory. And French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot recently dismissed Trump’s threats as an attempt to bully its ally, but also reiterated that European nations would defend their territory if attacked. “There is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders, whoever they are,” Barrot said on French radio.

He says he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the ‘Gulf of America’

Trump has also in recent months pressured Canada and Mexico, threatening heavy tariffs against them if they refuse to cooperate with Trump’s plans on border security. Trump’s bullying of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau played a role in the Canadian leader’s decision this week to step down. In another odd provocation, Trump stated during his Tuesday press conference that “we’re going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.”

We are living in the stupidest of times…

Trump: "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America."

I feel like we are being led by Patrick from SpongeBob. pic.twitter.com/cxX6txN1HR

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) January 7, 2025

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has stood up to Trump’s bullying attempts in the past, responded by proposing that portions of the United States be renamed “América Mexicana.”

Wowww ‼️ Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responds to Trump on his proposal to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico — and points to a 17th century map of greater México.

“We are going to call it América Mexicana. It sounds pretty, no?”

pic.twitter.com/VBQQkQbO2l

— David Adler (@davidrkadler) January 8, 2025

The threats and arguments over names may appear to be bluster and absurdity on the diplomatic stage, but the war in Ukraine demonstrates the real danger of major powers claiming other countries’ territories as their own. With the resignation of Trudeau in Canada and the tensions within NATO, Trump’s aggressive foreign policy ideas, as ridiculous as they may sound, are creating real consequences around the world.

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