When President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly suggests that the U.S. should purchase Greenland or take control of the Panama Canal, he’s not just making headlines—he’s causing real-world concern, says New York Times columnist Tom Friedman.
While some might dismiss these comments as nothing more than attention-grabbing nonsense, Friedman warns we shouldn’t take them lightly. According to him, China and Russia are definitely paying attention, and the implications could be more serious than we realize.
Friedman doesn’t mince words, calling Trump’s ideas “reckless stupidity beyond belief.” In his opinion piece, the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist points out that these off-the-cuff remarks could end up doing far more damage than most people think, especially when it comes to the global balance of power.
Sure, some folks might think Trump’s talk about seizing Greenland and the Panama Canal is just a joke from a leader who doesn’t have a filter. But Friedman argues it’s far from funny—it’s actually a dangerous prescription for chaos.
The real concern here? The actions of global powers like China and Russia. If Trump can suggest grabbing Greenland or the Panama Canal, Friedman wonders how the U.S. can criticize other countries like Russia for doing the same. After all, how can the U.S. lecture Putin about international law when its own leader is openly fantasizing about using military force to take over other nations’ territories?
Friedman concludes that it’s no surprise that Russia’s press secretary is closely monitoring Washington’s rhetoric. If the U.S. President is openly toying with the idea of invading foreign lands, it sends a troubling signal to the world.
At the end of the day, these bold remarks might sound outlandish, but the consequences could be far-reaching. The world is watching, and so should we.
