Sun Jan 12 09:46:23 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Threats to Canada, Greenland, and Panama: No Laughing Matter, Says Columnist
**OTTAWA** – A Canadian columnist warns against dismissing U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threats against Canada, Greenland, and Panama as mere jokes. In a scathing opinion piece published today, the author argues that Trump’s pronouncements, including potential military or economic coercion to annex Canada or assert control over Greenland and the Panama Canal, should be taken seriously.
The columnist points to Trump’s recent press conference, citing his rambling statements as evidence of a calculated plan, not mere incoherence. The author labels Trump a “bona fide fascist” whose authoritarian rhetoric and ambitions for a “golden age” for America must not be underestimated.
Trump’s stated refusal to rule out using economic or military force to achieve his territorial aims, coupled with his suggestion of using economic pressure to annex Canada, is highlighted as particularly alarming. The columnist rejects the notion that these threats are simply negotiating tactics or distractions, arguing that they represent a genuine intention to reshape the geopolitical landscape.
The piece cites Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey’s response as an example of the appropriate reaction: a firm rejection of Trump’s threats and a warning that any attempt to undermine Canadian sovereignty will be met with significant resistance. The columnist concludes by urging Canadians and the international community to confront Trump’s actions directly and forcefully, dismissing any attempts to downplay his words as humorous or inconsequential. The author stresses the urgency of acknowledging the severity of the situation and the potential for real harm.
First Piper 