The Republican and president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, spoke this Tuesday about various topics, including NATO, Israeli hostages in Gaza, his desire for the United States to buy Greenland, as well as to regain control of the Panama Canal.
During a conference, the Republican reiterated that Mexico is controlled by drug cartels and that it is immersed in many problems, in addition to being a very dangerous place.
He also discussed Elon Musk and speculation about Canada becoming a new US state.
Canada
Asked about his idea that Canada should be a US state, Trump said:
“You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and see what that looks like, and it would also be much better for national security. Don’t forget that, basically, we protect Canada. But here’s the problem with Canada. I have many friends there, I love the Canadian people. They’re great, but we’re spending hundreds of billions a year to protect it. We are spending hundreds of billions a year to take care of Canada. “We lose on trade deficits.”
Read: Political leaders defend Canada after Trump’s statements
Israeli hostages in Gaza
“All hell will break loose. If they’re not back by the time I take office, all hell will break loose in the Middle East, and it won’t be good for Hamas, and it won’t be good, frankly, for anyone. “All hell will break loose.”
Mexico is controlled by cartels; Trump wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico
“We have a massive deficit with Mexico, and we help Mexico a lot. They’re basically controlled by the cartels, and we can’t let that happen, because Mexico is really in trouble, a lot of trouble, a very dangerous place. We are going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it is appropriate. It’s appropriate. And Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to enter our country.”
Panama Canal and Greenland
Since winning the November 5 election, Trump has spoken about the possibility of the US purchasing the Danish territory of Greenland, as well as regaining control of the Panama Canal. On Tuesday he refused to rule out military or economic action as part of those wishes.
The president-elect added: “I can say this, we need them for economic security.” The magnate did not commit to negotiating a treaty with Panama, but said: “Look, the Panama Canal is vital for our country (…) It is being operated by China, and we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China, and they have abused that. They have abused that gift. “It should never have been done.”
Elon Musk
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Trump’s pick to co-chair a commission aimed at reducing government spending, has criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in recent days for his performance when Starmer was director of public prosecutions in the United Kingdom. .
Musk has said Starmer failed to prosecute gangs of men who raped young girls. Starmer said Tuesday that Musk knew “absolutely nothing” about the scandals he has been discussing.
Musk has also expressed his support for the right-wing Alternative for Germany party.
Asked for his reaction to Musk’s “provocative statements” on international affairs in Europe and elsewhere, Trump said: “I can say that Elon is doing a good job. He is a very intelligent guy. I don’t know the people you’re talking about. “I know he said some negative things about a couple of people who are running for office, but it’s not that unusual.”
Read: Trump says he will rename the Gulf of Mexico ‘Gulf of America’
Trump on NATO
Trump said he believes European NATO members should spend 5% of their GDP on the alliance’s defense.
“I think NATO should have 5%, yes. Well, you can’t do it with two, I mean, with 2% each country, if you are going to have one country and a regular army, you are at 4%. I think they should be, you know, they’re in dangerous territory. Everyone can afford it, but they should be at 5% not 2%.”
With information from Reuters
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