The future US President Donald Trump prompted a stir with numerous statements at a press convention in Florida. On the one hand, he demanded an extra enhance in protection spending from NATO allies. He additionally concluded a navy operation for his enlargement plans relating to the Panama Canal and Greenland not out.
Regarding protection spending, the long run president mentioned: “They can all afford it, but it should be five percent and not two percent.” During the election marketing campaign, the Republican threatened delinquent NATO contributors that he wouldn’t help them within the occasion of a Russian assault. So far, the spending goal is 2 p.c of gross home product (GDP).
Regarding his enlargement plans, Trump didn’t rule out that Military to achieve management of the Panama Canal and Greenland. When requested by a journalist about this, he mentioned: “I won’t commit to it. Something might have to be done. The Panama Canal is vital for our country.” The USA, in flip, wants Greenland for causes of nationwide safety. He described possession and management of Greenland as an absolute necessity.
Stegner and Strack-Zimmermann criticize Trump
In Germany, Trump’s calls for for larger protection spending have been met with criticism. SPD international coverage skilled Ralf Stegner instructed the information portal’s US e-newsletter DC Decoded Politico, “This is complete madness. We don’t need more weapons in the world, we need fewer.” In addition, such a choice requires a parliamentary majority, added Stegner. “Then you could also abolish democracy directly if you no longer need democratic majorities for the defense budget.”
The chairwoman of the Defense Committee within the European Parliament, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), believes that elevated protection spending by NATO international locations is critical, however urged restraint. “We shouldn’t be fooled by every statement Trump makes. We’re not at a bazaar here,” she mentioned Politico. “Trump, who sees himself as a dealmaker, of course also hopes that the increased financial commitment of the European partners will benefit above all and especially the US industry. But please don’t do it out of hand and thumb a number into the room place.”
Defense spending within the transatlantic alliance was already a central level of rivalry throughout Trump’s first time period in workplace. The Republican needed to depart the USA threatened from the navy alliance if the companion international locations don’t fulfill their obligation to take a position a minimum of two p.c of GDP in protection.
Donald Trump Jr. travels to Greenland
The assertion that they needed to beat Greenland and Panama militarily if essential additionally needed to be categorized, mentioned Strack-Zimmermann. “Trump likes to make everyone fuzzy. Territorial integrity also applies to Panama and Greenland and Denmark. The United States also knows that. Anything else would be a violation of international law and is not up for debate.”
Donald Trump Jr. already made headlines this morning when he landed in Greenland. Officially, Trump’s son’s journey is of a personal nature. Trump claimed on the press convention that we did not even know whether or not Denmark had any authorized declare to Greenland. “But if so, they should give it up.”
At the tip of December, Trump had already threatened Panama
unable to make sure the “safe, efficient and reliable operations” of the Panama Canal, the US would “demand the full and unconditional return of the Panama Canal.”
Trump additionally spoke about different matters on the press convention, a few of which he didn’t clarify additional. So he mentioned he needed to vary the identify of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
https://www.zeit.de/politik/ausland/2025-01/donald-trump-plaene-nato-groenland-panamakanal