President-elect Donald Trump ran on a platform of insulating the United States from foreign conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, raising tariffs on foreign trading partners and rebuilding domestic manufacturing.

But in recent days, he has suggested a more aggressive approach to foreign policy.

At first, he joked that Canada was another state in the United States. Since then he has threatened to Take back control of the Panama Canal. He also reiterated his desire from his first term to have Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. Not for sale.

The United States is unlikely to control any of these areas. But the statements could be a sign that Trump’s “America First” vision includes flexing superpower power abroad for the sake of U.S. trade and national security interests.

Trump told a conservative conference in Arizona on Sunday that Panama charges “ridiculous, grossly unfair” fees for U.S. ships using its namesake canal.

After being responsible for building the canal in the early 20th century, the United States transferred full control to Panama through a treaty in the 1970s. But this week, Trump said he would demand that the canal be returned to the United States if the “blackmail” did not stop – although he did not specify how.

Trump added that he did not want the Panama Canal to “fall into the wrong hands,” singling out China, which has significant interests in the waterway.

Will Freeman, a Latin American studies fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said of Trump’s comments: “Controlling neutrality serves a genuine national security interest of the United States.”

“Trump’s statement was largely about that.”

Data show that China is the second largest user of the Panama Canal, after the United States. It also has significant economic investments in the country.

2017, Panama cuts diplomatic ties with Taiwan And recognizing it as part of China is a major victory for Beijing.

Freeman said that the Panama Canal is not only critical to U.S. trade in the Pacific region, but also that U.S. ships and other assets will need to be transported through the Panama Canal in the event of a military conflict with China.

He also pointed to Trump’s frequent comments about unfair treatment of the United States by trading partners and the president-elect’s pledge to significantly increase tariffs on foreign goods, especially Chinese goods.

Freeman said Trump’s complaints about shipping costs seemed to reflect his views on trade.

Freeman said that while the statements could be “coercive,” it remains to be seen “whether the canal authority will lower charges for U.S. cargo in response to the threat.”

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino issued a statement saying that the canal and surrounding areas belong to Panama and will continue to do so.

Over the weekend, Trump said in a social media post that the United States “believes it is absolutely necessary to own and control Greenland” for reasons of national security and global freedom.

The United States has the Pitufik Space Base in Greenland. The territory is rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals and oil, and occupies a strategic location for trade as global powers seek to expand their influence in the Arctic Circle.

Russia, in particular, sees the region as a strategic opportunity.

Trump floated the idea of ​​buying Greenland during his first term as president in 2019, but it never materialized.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mutt B. Egged responded to Trump’s latest comments this week: “We are not selling, we will not sell.”

Still, Trump continues to emphasize his public statements online.

On Truth Social, Trump’s account showed an image of an American flag in the middle of the Panama Canal.

His second son, Eric Trump, posted an image on X showing the United States adding Greenland, the Panama Canal and Canada to an Amazon online shopping cart.

For Trump, the promise of using American power to his advantage helped fuel his two successful presidential campaigns.

It’s a tactic he used during his first term as president, threatening tariffs and deploying “armed soldiers” to induce Mexico to step up enforcement at its U.S. border.

As he enters his second term, Trump may plan to use a similar strategy when he takes office on January 20.

Although what happens next remains to be seen, Denmark has expressed a willingness to cooperate with his government.

It also announced a huge push Greenland defense spendingIt comes just hours after Trump reiterated his desire to buy Arctic territory.