On January 30, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio articulated President Donald Trump’s steadfast interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark and regaining control over the Panama Canal, positioning these moves as imperative to national security. Amid growing concerns about China’s increasing influence both in the Arctic and Latin America, Rubio stressed this was not merely about territorial acquisition but rather about securing strategic interests.
During his conversation on SiriusXM’s "The Megyn Kelly Show," originally slated hours before his first official trip to Panama, Rubio remarked, "This is not a joke. This is not about acquiring land for the purpose of acquiring land. This is in our national interest and it needs to be solved.” His comments come as part of broader Trump Administration efforts to address perceived threats from China.
Rubio explained the dire need for U.S. sovereignty over these territories, particularly highlighting how China’s investments, especially concerning infrastructure and ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, are making the potentially pivotal shipping route vulnerable. He elaborated, “They’re all over Panama,” indicating the widespread presence of Chinese companies believed to be aligned with the Beijing government.
Warnings were issued by Rubio about the potential for these companies to disrupt canal operations at the behest of the Chinese government, particularly during times of heightened conflict, stating bluntly, “If the government in China tells them to shut down the Panama Canal, they will have to.” The risk posed by such possibilities rests heavily on the U.S., as significant economic and strategic interests are at stake.
Further probing the agreements governing canal operation, he raised concerns about current treaty violations. Rubio described how the arrangement, whereby control was ceded to Panama following the 1977 treaty, now puts the U.S. at risk of being overcharged for passage through the canal, asserting, "We should not be in a position of having to pay more than other countries. We should be getting a discount or maybe for free, because we paid for the thing." This kind of rhetoric underlines the administration's position on perceived injustices stemming from the current conditions.
During this turbulent backdrop, Rubio is set to engage with Panamanian officials, including President José Raúl Mulino, who remarked on January 30, "It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate… the canal belongs to Panama." This sets the stage for potential tensions, as it shows contrasting perspectives on ownership and management of the canal. Rubio is poised to discuss these issues; he emphasized, "We’re going to address the topic," indicating some level of expectation for negotiations, even where Mulino has indicated otherwise.
Shifting focus to Greenland, Rubio echoed concerns about the Arctic’s strategic imperatives amid melting ice and growing shipping lanes. He urged, "We need to be able to defend the Arctic,” highlighting its significance, especially with respect to U.S. energy dominance and geopolitical maneuvering. According to Rubio, if China aimed to exert control over this territory, it would generate significant challenges for the U.S. He emphasized, "If we're already on the hook for having to defend Greenland, we might as well have more control over what happens there,” pointing out Denmark’s limitations to protect it against encroaching Chinese interests.
He noted apprehensions about whether Denmark could genuinely stand against Chinese advances, asserting, "They can’t stop them and would rely on the U.S. for protection.” This speaks volumes about the dependency of allied countries on American military power and strategic presence.
Rubio’s statements reflect the underlying themes of the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach, which often takes a transactional view of international relationships. He stated, “He is not going to begin what he views as negotiation… by taking any leverage off the table.” This indicates Trump’s business-oriented mindset applied to global diplomacy, inferring an expectation for tangible returns on such geopolitical engagements.
Looking forward, both Rubio and Trump predict significant shifts concerning American oversight of the Arctic and the Panama Canal over the next four years. Rubio expressed confidence, "What I think you can rest assured of is, four years from now, our interest in the Arctic will be more secure; our interest in the Panama Canal will be more secure.” Central to this vision is how U.S. interests can be bolstered against the encroaching challenges posed by adversarial nations, particularly China.
Overall, the fusion of energy, trade, and security concerns shapes the cornerstone of discussions surrounding Greenland and the Panama Canal, with these territories representing frontline interests at the heart of U.S. foreign policy challenges. Whether Trump can actualize his ambitions remains contingent on various regional dynamics and the willingness of global counterparts like Denmark and Panama to cooperate or resist these advances.