Following President Trump’s address to Congress, leaders from Greenland and Panama have strongly refuted his stated intentions to acquire strategically important territories.

Trump has openly expressed his desire to “acquire” Greenland and the Panama Canal, even suggesting potential military action to achieve this.

During his address, Trump claimed his administration was already working to “take back” the Panama Canal and reiterated his ambition to acquire Greenland, which is currently a .

Addressing Greenland directly, Trump stated, “We strongly support your right to self-determination, and we welcome you into the United States if you choose.”

“We will ensure your safety, prosperity, and unprecedented success,” he added.

Trump further stated his administration was “working with everybody involved to try to get it.”

“We need it for international security. And I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other,” he asserted.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede responded on Wednesday, stating his lack of interest in becoming .

“We do not want to be Americans or Danes, we are Kalaallit (Greenlanders). The Americans and their leader must understand that,” Egede posted on Facebook, as translated by Reuters.

“We are not for sale and cannot be taken. Our future is determined by us in Greenland,” he affirmed.

Trump’s remarks about the Panama Canal were equally direct: “My administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.”

“We’ve already started doing it,” he added.

Trump has alleged that China has taken control of the vital waterway through a Hong Kong-based company operating ports at either end, potentially cutting off the U.S. from the canal if directed by Beijing.

However, Panama has consistently denied that China controls the canal.

“Just today, a large American company announced they are buying both ports around the Panama Canal and lots of other things having to do with the and a couple of other canals,” Trump stated.

Trump’s comments referenced a $23 billion deal between BlackRock Inc.-TiL Consortium and Hutchison Port Holdings, a Hong Kong conglomerate, announced on Tuesday.

The consortium, comprised of BlackRock Inc., Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Limited, is set to acquire “90% interests in Panama Ports Company (the “PPC Transaction”), which owns and operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal in Panama,” according to a Tuesday .

Panama’s president refuted claims, stating, “Once again, President Trump, is lying.”

“The Panama Canal is not being restored, and this was not discussed with [Secretary of State] Rubio or anyone else,” President José Raúl Mulino posted on X. “I reject this affront to the truth and our national dignity on behalf of Panama and all Panamanians.

“It has nothing to do with recovering the Canal or tarnishing our national sovereignty,” he added. “The Canal is Panamanian and will remain Panamanian!”

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