The Story The Sunday Edition: Donald Trump’s imperial ambitions
Mar 30, 2025
In this discussion, Josh Glancy, News Review Editor for The Sunday Times and former Washington correspondent, delves into Donald Trump's ambitious foreign policy. Topics include Trump's controversial remarks about Greenland and the Panama Canal, framed as a matter of U.S. national security. Glancy examines the historical context and diplomatic tensions surrounding these territories, as well as the implications for international relations in the face of climate change and geopolitical rivalries with China and Russia.
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Greenland's Geography and Governance
- Greenland, the world's largest island, is located between Europe and America and is mostly permafrost.
- It's an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, primarily inhabited on its western coast.
Greenland's Independence
- Most Greenlanders desire greater independence from Denmark but remain reliant on Danish funding.
- Greenlanders were bemused by Trump's interest but also saw it as a sign of Greenland's importance.
Greenland's Strategic Importance
- Trump claims Greenland's vital for U.S. national security due to the Thule Air Base and its early warning systems.
- The base is crucial for detecting potential ballistic missile threats from countries like China or North Korea.