Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) said on Monday that she supports Donald Trump’s plan to seize the Panama Canal and buy Greenland because he was given a “mandate” by voters in the election.
“The American people have given President Trump a mandate. They are tired of our nation not putting Americans first,” Blackburn told Fox News guest host Kellyanne Conway in a clip highlighted by Mediaite.
“So when it comes to dealing with the Panama Canal and making certain that China is not being advantaged in this, and America disadvantaged, of course. Let’s put this issue on the table and talk about it,” she continued.
“When you talk about securing our nation, that is where Greenland comes into the conversation, and being strategic and how we’re going to keep this nation safe,” Blackburn added. “That is what Americans want to see.”
Over the weekend, Trump suggested that the U.S. take over the Panama Canal, which is owned and operated by the Panama government-owned Panama Canal Authority.
He complained about what he called unfair fees for US ships passing through and China’s growing influence in the region.
Panama President José Raúl Mulino responded that “every square meter” of the canal “belongs to Panama and will continue belonging to Panama.”
Trump also said that the United States should take over Greenland “for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World.”
Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede said the island nation is “not for sale
