Newly elected US President Donald Trump calls on NATO partners to significantly increase their defense spending. Instead of two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP), partner countries should invest five percent in the future, the Republican said at a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago mansion in Florida. During the election campaign, the republican threatened the NATO member countries that do not pay the contribution, that he would not support them in case of an attack from Russia.
The future US president had signaled during his first term as president that the US would withdraw from NATO if European countries did not increase their defense spending. All countries can afford this increase of two to five percent, Trump said.
Panama Canal and Greenland: Trump does not rule out military operations
President-elect Trump also stated that he did not rule out using the military to take control of the Panama Canal or Greenland. Asked by a reporter if he could guarantee the world that he would use neither economic nor military austerity measures, Trump said: “No.
The Republican, who will return to the White House on January 20, emphasized that he cannot guarantee such a thing and that there is a possibility that "something must be done."
Trump: Greenland is important to US "national security".
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in the island of Greenland, which belongs to Denmark. In December he said that "in the interests of national security and freedom in the world, the United States considers the possession and control of Greenland an absolute necessity."
Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr. is currently visiting Greenland. Officially, this trip is considered private. But Trump said at the press conference that it is not known whether Denmark legally has any rights to Greenland, adding that if they do, they should give it up because we need (Greenland) for national security.
Trump: The Panama Canal is controlled by China
A few weeks ago, Trump said the fees for transit through the Panama Canal are "very unfair." He called for control of the waterway to be returned to the United States if it was not treated fairly. Trump said the Panama Canal is vital to our country. but controlled by China.
The Panama Canal - one of the most important trade routes in the world - was built by the United States in the early 20th century, which controlled it for a long time before its management gradually passed to Panama. /DW (A2 Televizion)
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