Donald Trump is a politician who frequently comes into discussion and controversy even when he is in power and not. Trump, who has been holding the office of the US President since January 20, has recently come into controversy due to his comments about the Greenland Islands, Panama Canal and Canada.

Trump, who was elected in the presidential election on November 5, said on Sunday that Greenland, an autonomous island of Denmark, is essential for the United States. Before that, Trump said that the Republic of Panama would regain control of the Panama Canal, invade Mexico and make Canada the '51st state'.

"The United States feels that full ownership and control of Greenland is necessary for national security and freedom around the world," Trump wrote on his social network Truth Social. He announced the appointment of Pay-Pal co-founder Ken Howery as the US ambassador to Denmark and said that Greenland's "ownership is essential". "Kane will do a wonderful job representing America's interests," Trump said. 

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Aged immediately responded strongly to Trump's comments. "We are not for sale and we will not be available for sale," he said, adding, "We must not lose our long struggle for freedom." However, we must remain open to cooperation and trade with the rest of the world, especially our neighbors.' 

Trump previously said in August 2019 that he wanted to 'buy' Greenland. Trump was said to be attracted to Greenland's natural resources. But Mette Frederiksen, then Prime Minister of Denmark, announced that "Greenland is not for sale". She has been the Prime Minister of Denmark continuously since June 2019. Frederickson responded that Trump's comments were "absurd."

because of which Trump canceled his state visit to Denmark. While Trump's visit to Denmark was scheduled for September 2, 2019 at the invitation of Queen Margaret II of Denmark. Frederickson apologized after Trump canceled the visit. But within hours, Trump called her "very bad and unpleasant." "I think the Prime Minister's statement is absurd," Trump said, "I thought it was an inappropriate statement." If they said no, we would not be interested.' 

Trump said Frederickson was talking to America rather than himself. "You don't talk to the United States like that, at least to the United States under my administration," Trump said. Denmark's Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not responded to Trump's latest comments.

But Denmark's conservative politician Rasmus Jarlov has made it clear that the government's control over Greenland is not up for discussion or negotiation. "To the extent that US activities are aimed at controlling Danish territory, this must be prohibited and countered. Then they can't come there,' Zarlov wrote on the social network 'X'. 

Known as the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean', the island of Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark. It has been part of Denmark since 1721. Residents of Greenland are fully Danish citizens. Greenland lies to the east of Canada's Arctic Archipelago and lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Greenland is the largest island in the world with an area of ​​2.184 thousand square km.

Greenland's capital Nuuk is closer from New York than from Denmark's capital Copenhagen. Nook is 3,534 km from Copenhagen and 2,977 km from New York. About 56,800 people live in Greenland. 

Since 2009, they have the right to declare the island independent from Denmark. The Greenland Self-Government Act of 2009 granted the people of Greenland the right to self-determination with the option of independence. In April 2023, Greenland's parliament approved the draft constitution. Some interpret this as a major step towards independence.

Although part of the North American continent, Greenland has been politically and culturally close to Europe (especially Norway and Denmark) since 1968. Greenland is rich in minerals, oil and natural gas. But because the economy depends on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark, Greenland's development is slow. The U.S. Space Force's Pitufic Air Base is located on the northwest coast of Greenland. Because of this, Greenland is strategically important to the US military and its ballistic missile warning system. 

Trump has also repeated that former US President Harry Truman once offered to buy Greenland. Truman offered to buy it for $100 million in 1946. Which is equivalent to about 1 billion 40 million dollars today. But in terms of natural resources and diplomatic importance, its value today is estimated to be ten times higher.

America purchased the Louisiana Territory in 1803 for $15 million. Similarly, in 1867, Alaska was bought from Russia for 7.2 million dollars. In 1916, the United States bought the Danish West Indies (US Virgin Islands) from Denmark for $25 million. The US bought the Philippine Islands from Spain in 1946 and later abandoned them. 

Trump has also warned that he will regain control of the Panama Canal. Saying that the US ships passing through the canal have been charged high fees, Trump has warned to reduce the fees or hand over the canal to the US. "Tariffs taken by Panama are ridiculous and grossly unfair," Trump said, addressing supporters in Arizona on Sunday.

After Trump's comments, angry Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino responded that "every square meter of the canal and the surrounding area belongs to his country." Mulino says there will be no compromise on Panama's sovereignty and independence. Earlier, Trump said that the Panama Canal is an important national asset for the United States. "If shipping rates are not reduced, we will demand the return of the Panama Canal to us quickly and unconditionally," Trump said. 

This canal is a man-made canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow neck of the Republic of Panama. After the construction of the canal, the distance between the east and west coasts of America has decreased by about 12,875 km. About 14,000 ships pass through the canal every year.

A ship takes 8 to 10 hours to cross the canal. The 82 km long canal was built over years. The French company that took over the construction of the canal started work in January 1882. But after the work did not progress as expected, America started work in May 1904. 

The canal opened on August 15, 1914 was handed over to Panama by the United States on December 31, 1999. The canal was handed over to the United States under a 1977 agreement between US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian General Omar Torrios. 25,600 workers died during the construction of the canal. Most of them died of malaria and fever.

Similarly, Trump has asked Canada to merge with the United States. He asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to join and become the governor of the 51st state of America. US media reported that Trump made such a proposal during a three-hour discussion with Trudeau at the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last Friday. 

After Trudeau's complaint that Canada's economy is in trouble due to the customs tax imposed by the United States, Trump proposed to merge with the United States. Earlier, Trump said that he would impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Canada. Trudeau said the move would have a serious impact on Canada's economy. In response, Trump stated that the United States has a hundred billion dollar trade deficit with Canada. 

Trump claims that most citizens of Canada also want to remain as the 51st state of America. Why do we give more than one billion dollars in grants to Canada every year? No one can answer that. Most Canadian citizens also want to become residents of America's 51st state. I think it's a good idea," Trump wrote on social media. 

Trump has threatened to designate drug gangs as foreign terrorist organizations and send special forces to Mexico. The move appears to violate Mexico's sovereignty and sour relations with America's largest trading partner. Trump has said that he will issue an 'executive order' to impose tariffs against Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office as president on January 20.