# Trump now wants to use military force to take the Panama Canal and Greenland **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691 "2025-01-07T20:27:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 29
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/561 "2025-06-05T19:42:35Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I still want to see how they plan on dealing with the resistance. The population of Greenland is 57,000. The population of the U.S. is 340,000,000. While God is not always on the side of the bigger battalions, in this case the disparity is too overwhelming Wikipedia says guns per capita is 22 per 100 in Greenland. Not zero, but compare with Canada’s 34 per 100, and the United States’s 121. As for Denmark, the Danes are not overwhelmingly popular in Greenland. I cannot see Denmark fighting to the last Dane for the sake of Greenlanders long exempt from the Danish military draft. I did find a little evidence of preparedness in this year-old article: > **[The Danish Armed Forces Launches New Arctic Education Program in Greenland](https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/danish-armed-forces-launches-new-arctic-education-program-greenland)** > > Young people in Greenland can now apply to a new Arctic basic training developed by the Danish Armed Forces in cooperation with the Greenlandic government. The educational program aims to strengthen the Greenlandic community's preparedness and... But the above is likely too little, too late. The isolation of Greenlandic communities (only reachable by air and, sometimes, ship) is a tremendous military weakness. The U.S. can pick them off one by one in the unlikely case of major resistance. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/562 "2025-06-05T21:11:45Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Wikipedia says guns per capita is 22 per 100 in Greenland. Not zero, but compare with Canada’s 34 per 100, and the United States’s 121. Guns don’t matter. For resistance you want explosives, not guns. And I expect there _will_ be resistance, once the destruction and atrocities start. They might not be all that loyal to Denmark, but Denmark isn’t dropping cluster bombs on them, or raping and torturing them either. Unfortunately given the sheer disparity in size and power that probably just results in a quick genocide. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/563 "2025-06-05T21:31:04Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Unfortunately given the sheer disparity in size and power that probably just results in a quick genocide. I hope no one from Greenland is reading this! A great disparity in size and power does not mean genocide for the loser. It means quick, hopefully short-term, for the loser. If Trump fails to chicken out here, Greenlanders can expect a few bad, but survivable years, after which a non-MAGA American regime gains power and gives Greenland its well-earned freedom. As for example of big countries conquering little ones without genocide, we could start with Granada. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/564 "2025-06-05T22:14:50Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > If Trump fails to chicken out here, Greenlanders can expect a few bad, but survivable years, after which a non-MAGA American regime gains power and gives Greenland its well-earned freedom. No; more likely they can expect Trump to be replaced by a non-senile, more intelligent and focused fascist. They _might_ live, though. being white. Panama is going to be exterminated as part of the race war. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/565 "2025-06-05T23:10:58Z")
The innuit are white? O. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/566 "2025-06-05T23:28:41Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > They _might_ live, though. being white. Panama is going to be exterminated as part of the race war. Conquering all of Panama could be a military problem. Unvaccinated U.S. troops would find the Darien Gap challenging. But Trump’s rhetoric focuses on the canal, not the country. It seems that when the U.S. left in 1979, little more than one percent of Panamanians lived in the Canal Zone. Might Panama keep on fighting if the U.S. conquered just the approximate territory of the old canal zone? Maybe, except that they theoretically do not have a standing military. One reason I’m a little worried about 2028 is that Trump may have some real military successes. Conquest of Greenland and the canal, while morally indefensible, do not seem to me beyond American capability or likely to result in tens of thousands of deaths on either side. I do know this stuff is extremely hard to predict. The war the experts think will end quickly often does not, and vice versa. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/567 "2025-06-07T02:04:56Z")
Here’s today’s installment: [Denmark increases military presence in Greenland](https://www.arctictoday.com/denmark-increases-military-presence-in-greenland-amid-rising-arctic-tensions/) > [@](#): > > - **Winter training and exercises** : Special operations forces will conduct winter training and exercises focusing on critical infrastructure. > - **Helicopter deployment** : Two EH-101 helicopters will be stationed to support various operational tasks. > - **Frigate deployment** : A frigate will be deployed to strengthen maritime operations in the region. > - **Land-based security** : Students from the Arctic Basic Education program will participate in land-based security operations to protect critical infrastructure. > - **F-16 fighter jets** : Deployment of F-16 fighter jets to Kangerlussuaq, with patrols along Greenland’s west coast. Sounds good to me. They are taking this more seriously than I might have thought. Trump can be intimidated. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/568 "2025-06-07T17:44:38Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > **Frigate deployment** : A frigate will be deployed to strengthen maritime operations in the region I look forward to a single frigate sailing out to confront a US carrier group. Will the carrier crew all die of embarrassment? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/569 "2025-06-07T21:42:56Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > I look forward to a single frigate sailing out to confront a US carrier group. Will the carrier crew all die of embarrassment? Trump does not want war. He wants a quick victory after which he meets with grateful quislings. So if his generals tell him to expect some military resistance, Trump may lose interest. This remains a high risk situation. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2025, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/570 "2025-06-09T21:41:40Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > The storming of the US capitol was broadcast live and we still have people who think it was peaceful. At that time, my bosses boss had a meeting we all attend. Nice guy. He said “We will meet again in two weeks if we are not in the middle of a civil war”. “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face,” - Mike Tyson. I’m hoping we can deliver that blow. It means that a plan is fine until reality hits you in the face. Unfortunately reality is/has not hit republicans in the face. I consider all but a few traitors. Republicans are drillings holes in the boat so they can get water. This may not end well for them. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/571 "2025-06-10T06:37:39Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Republicans are drillings holes in the boat so they can get water. This may not end well for them. They are drilling holes in the boat to get liberals wet. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/572 "2025-06-10T11:03:28Z")
And if there’s a toaster plugged in nearby, wellll…. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/573 "2025-06-10T11:05:51Z")
“I never thought the sharks would eat _my_ face!” Also: something something batteries. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/574 "2025-06-10T14:21:06Z")
[![](https://global-macro-monitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rhyme-of-history.jpg) ](https://global-macro-monitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/rhyme-of-history.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/575 "2025-06-10T16:53:31Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > One reason I’m a little worried about 2028 is that Trump may have some real military successes. Conquest of Greenland and the canal, I’m not seeing military success in American imperialism being a asking point for Trump. I’m more worried about Trump having military success in California and Washington state. The good news about living in Texas is I probably don’t have to worry about Trump sending in the Marines. The bad news is the local fascists are more than willing do the job themselves. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/576 "2025-06-10T17:25:27Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > I’m more worried about Trump having military success in California and Washington state. I think that’s moot. With the degree of information isolation that the Right imposes, just arriving and declaring victory is a “military success” that justifies breaking the Constitution. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2025, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/577 "2025-06-22T01:16:39Z")
The new Olympics thread just made me think of another way to deter Trump. Nations which do not want Trump using military force to increase the physical size of the United States should be thinking about this [January 2025 Trump statement:](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/hiltzik-how-trump-could-sabotage-l-a-s-world-cup-and-olympics/ar-AA1H1es4?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1): > [@](#): > > These are America’s Olympics. These are more important than ever to L.A. and I’m going to be supportive in every way possible and make them the greatest games. Trump cares about sports. A lot. Telling him U.S. conquest of the Canal or Greenland (or Canada) would cause their Olympic team to withdraw would have a significant deterrent effect. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2025, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/578 "2025-06-22T01:29:25Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Telling him U.S. conquest of the Canal or Greenland (or Canada) would cause their Olympic team to withdraw would have a significant deterrent effect. I don’t follow. If the US conquered Canada, then its Olympics team would presumably be absorbed into America’s, so there would be no withdrawal. Neither Greenland nor the Panama Canal Zone has any team of its own to withdraw. Denmark and Panama might withdraw their teams in the event of a US military invasion into the aforementioned territories, but I doubt this possibility factors into Trump’s planning. Or are you talking about a general politically motivated boycott of the LA Olympics, similar to what was done for the 1980 and 1984 games (the latter of which was coincidentally also in LA)? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/579 "2025-06-22T01:47:43Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Or are you talking about a general politically motivated boycott of the LA Olympics, similar to what was done for the 1980 and 1984 games (the latter of which was coincidentally also in LA)? The more countries that make the threat, the more effective it will be. Also, if dozens of countries are in on the threat, it makes it harder for Trump to retaliate (even though he will claim their threats influenced his ever-changing tariff rates). All NATO countries (except for the obvious exception of the U.S.) should threaten an Olympic boycott if Trump invades Greenland. Organization of American States members should say the same about Panama. P.S. I didn’t mention Canada because of the thread topic, but also because I believe Canada has too much military strength for the bully to actually invade. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2025, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/580 "2025-06-22T04:33:48Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > All NATO countries (except for the obvious exception of the U.S.) should threaten an Olympic boycott if Trump invades Greenland. > > Organization of American States members should say the same about Panama. The Olympics would happen anyway, the U.S. would sweep the medal counts (Trump is only interested in numbers of medals), and Trump would declare the Olympics ‘The Best Olympics Ever. Nobody has seen Olympics like this. America is Number One! Because of _me!_’ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=30)