Category: Strained Foreign Relations

Trump administration mulls payments to sway Greenlanders to join US

The Trump administration is discussing direct cash payments to Greenland’s 57,000 residents, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person, as a strategy to persuade them to secede from Denmark and potentially join the United States, according to four sources familiar with internal deliberations. A $100,000-per-person payment would total approximately $6 billion. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Trump and his national security team were “looking at what a potential purchase would look like,” while the specific mechanics and conditions of such payments remain undefined.

Among the options under consideration is a Compact of Free Association (COFA), an arrangement previously extended only to Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, under which the United States provides essential services including mail delivery and military protection while operating military facilities freely and establishing duty-free trade. Such an agreement would require Greenland to separate from Denmark first. Trump has claimed Greenland is strategically vital for national security and mineral resources needed for military applications, asserting that the White House is “discussing a range of options” to acquire Greenland, with military intervention explicitly stated as a possible tool.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected the acquisition attempt on Sunday, writing “Enough is enough … No more fantasies about annexation” on Facebook. Denmark, a NATO ally bound to the United States by mutual defense agreement, has firmly stated Greenland is not for sale. On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark issued a joint statement asserting that only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters regarding their relations, underscoring Denmark’s demands for U.S. answers over alleged Trump operations in Greenland.

Internal discussions about acquiring Greenland intensified following Trump’s government’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, with White House aides reportedly seeking momentum to advance the President’s other long-standing geopolitical objectives. Sources indicate that while payment discussions are not entirely new, they have escalated in seriousness in recent days, with officials entertaining higher compensation figures. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet his Danish counterpart next week in Washington to address the matter.

Although polls show an overwhelming majority of Greenlanders desire independence from Denmark, surveys also demonstrate that most Greenlanders do not wish to become part of the United States. Economic concerns about separating from Denmark have prevented most Greenlandic legislators from calling for an independence referendum. The payment strategy risks being perceived as transactional and demeaning to a population with its own historical independence debate.

(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/trump-administration-mulls-payments-sway-greenlanders-join-us-2026-01-08/?fbclid=IwdGRleAPNL_RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeuOInok69PUqliyuymFV_AN3L61-CrKKZHvXIXFRSzXxCVSvRn6eTLknE4B4_aem_MdSL1V900AKJKBGUc55xCw&utm_medium=Social&utm_social_handle_id=114050161948682&utm_social_post_id=646273254&utm_source=Facebook)

Trump Makes Sure Everyone Knows Why He Invaded Venezuela

President Trump publicly justified the U.S. invasion of Venezuela by stating the operation would secure control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Trump announced he would personally oversee the sale of 30 to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil at market price following Delta Force operatives’ capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, with the military action resulting in hundreds of deaths in Caracas and surrounding areas.

Trump’s original pretext that the invasion targeted drug trafficking has been abandoned despite continued repetition by right-wing media allies. The administration’s actual focus on Venezuelan oil became unmistakable when Trump suggested American taxpayers would reimburse oil companies for reconstructing Venezuela’s energy infrastructure, explicitly linking military intervention to corporate profit extraction.

The invasion violates international law by overthrowing a foreign government without lawful cause, establishing a precedent that powerful nations can unilaterally remove leaders they deem objectionable. This directly contradicts Trump’s stated support for a rules-based global order, as the administration simultaneously maintains close relationships with authoritarian regimes including Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman, whose government also oppresses its population and controls vast oil reserves.

Trump has installed Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president from the previous regime, as successor rather than holding promised democratic elections. The administration demanded Rodríguez crack down on drugs, expel foreign operatives from U.S.-designated hostile countries, and cease oil sales to those nations, while explicitly postponing elections indefinitely—revealing the occupation prioritizes geopolitical control and resource extraction over democratic governance.

The military operation, which killed over 100 people in boat bombings designed to provoke Maduro into an aggressive response, demonstrates Trump’s disregard for the sovereignty of nations unable to defend themselves militarily. By stating “We’re going to keep the oil,” Trump discarded pretense and openly acknowledged the invasion as resource seizure justified by military dominance rather than law or humanitarian concern.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/trump-tells-everyone-why-he-illegally-invaded-venezuela-were-going-to-keep-the-oil/)

US ‘discussing a range of options’ to acquire Greenland, White House says

The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Trump’s administration is “discussing a range of options” to acquire Greenland, with military intervention explicitly stated as a potential tool. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that acquiring Greenland constitutes a “national security priority” and that “utilizing the U.S. Military is always an option at the Commander in Chief’s disposal,” according to her statement to CNN.

Trump has escalated his focus on Greenland in recent days, prompting European leaders to issue a statement of support for Denmark, the NATO ally that holds sovereignty over the Arctic territory. Senior White House aide Stephen Miller reinforced the administration’s intent by telling CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that no nation would militarily oppose U.S. acquisition of Greenland, framing the prospect as inevitable.

The White House’s explicit invocation of military options to seize Danish territory represents an unprecedented assertion of force to acquire a foreign nation’s sovereign land. Denmark has already demanded U.S. answers over alleged Trump operations in Greenland, and this statement escalates tensions with a core NATO ally.

Trump’s pursuit of Greenland abandons established international law and diplomatic norms governing territorial acquisition, reversing decades of Arctic policy based on cooperation rather than coercion. The military already dismissed a base commander in Greenland for criticizing Vice President Vance’s political agenda, signaling the administration’s intolerance for dissent within its ranks on this territorial ambition.

Trump’s prior Greenland video masked imperial ambitions and elite interests, and these statements confirm the administration will consider military force to achieve territorial expansion, fundamentally departing from U.S. commitments to international law and alliance partnerships.

(Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/06/politics/us-options-greenland-military)

Trump Warns Iran He Will Act if Regime ‘Kills’ Protesters

President Trump posted a threat on Truth Social on January 2, 2026, declaring the United States “locked and loaded and ready to go” to intervene militarily in Iran if the regime kills peaceful protesters during nationwide demonstrations. The warning came as Iranians protested economic collapse, soaring inflation, and currency devaluation, with reports of deaths and mass arrests as security forces deployed tear gas and detained demonstrators across Tehran, colleges, and regional cities.

Ali Larijani, Iran’s former parliament speaker and current secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, responded by claiming without evidence that Israel and the United States orchestrated the unrest. Larijani stated on X that U.S. interference would destabilize the region and harm American interests, warning Trump that he “began the adventurism” and should focus on protecting American soldiers rather than intervening in Iran’s internal affairs.

Trump’s threat marks a significant military escalation following a 12-day military campaign in June 2025 when Washington and Israel jointly struck Iranian nuclear sites. Trump has previously warned he would authorize additional strikes if Iran rebuilds its nuclear or ballistic missile programs, a position he reiterated during recent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office promising economic reform and relief for citizens, responded by appointing a new central bank governor and meeting with business leaders to address rising prices and collapsing wages. On Thursday night, Pezeshkian stated that “people’s livelihoods are the government’s red line,” calling economic stability “non-negotiable,” though Trump did not specify what his threatened intervention would entail in practical terms.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/locked-and-loaded-trump-warns-iran-he-will-intervene-if-regime-kills-peaceful-protesters/)

U.S. launches military strikes on Venezuela, Trump says Maduro captured and flown out of the country

President Trump announced early Saturday that Delta Force operatives captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were then flown out of the country following large-scale U.S. military strikes on Caracas and other locations. Trump confirmed the operation via Truth Social post and scheduled a press conference at Mar-a-Lago for 11 a.m. ET, stating U.S. law enforcement was involved without specifying which agencies. This operation follows Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of Venezuelan oil tankers announced just weeks prior.

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated Maduro would face criminal charges in the U.S., where he was indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism allegations. Rubio reportedly told Lee that “no further action in Venezuela” was anticipated now that Maduro was in U.S. custody, and that the military operation was deployed to protect those executing the arrest warrant. The Trump administration has maintained a $50 million bounty for information leading to Maduro’s capture, doubled from $25 million last summer.

U.S. military strikes targeted major installations including Fuerte Tiuna military base, La Carlota airbase, signal antenna at El Volcán, and La Guaira Port on the Caribbean coast. The operation represents the culmination of Trump’s rapid military expansion across Latin America through recent security agreements signed with multiple nations. The FAA banned U.S. commercial aircraft from Venezuelan airspace due to ongoing military activity, effective through Sunday morning Caracas time.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez demanded proof of life and Maduro’s location on state television, while Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced military deployment across the country and declared a state of external emergency. The Venezuelan government called supporters to the streets to resist what it termed an “imperialist attack,” though the defense minister made no mention of Maduro’s reported capture.

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona denounced the strikes as “illegal,” calling it the “second unjustified war in my lifetime,” while Republican Senator Mike Lee expressed constitutional concerns about military action absent a declaration of war or authorization for use of military force. Congressional measures to require approval for Venezuelan strikes have been voted down in recent months despite bipartisan pushback against the administration’s military buildup in the region.

(Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/venezuela-us-military-strikes-maduro-trump/)

TACO strikes again: Italian pasta becomes the latest product to have tariffs slashed by Trump

President Donald Trump’s administration slashed proposed tariffs on Italian pasta manufacturers in January 2025, reducing rates from 92 percent to between 2 and 14 percent for specific companies and 9 percent for others. The Department of Commerce had initially accused 13 Italian pasta makers of unfair trade practices and “dumping” products below market rates, with La Molisana and Garofalo cited for failing to cooperate with pricing investigations. Italy’s government contested these allegations through its embassy in Washington, D.C., and the companies’ cooperation prompted the dramatic reversal.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry characterized the tariff reduction as recognition of the companies’ “constructive willingness to cooperate,” according to Reuters. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had expected her alignment with Trump to shield Italian companies from steep levies, making the initial high tariff proposal a source of political embarrassment. Italy’s pasta exports totaled approximately $4.7 billion in 2024, with the United States accounting for roughly $800 million of that revenue.

The pasta tariff reversal represents another rollback in Trump’s tariff regime, following a pattern critics label “Trump Always Chickens Out” (TACO). The administration delayed furniture and kitchen cabinet tariffs for one year on New Year’s Eve, removed tariffs from over 200 agricultural products in November, and announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs affecting Canada and Mexico earlier in 2025.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett defended the reversals to CNBC and ABC News in November, claiming the policy shifts do not indicate failure and attributing price increases to factors beyond tariffs. The Trump administration maintains its tariff strategy remains intact despite the recurring delays and rollbacks.

Polling data demonstrates widespread consumer concerns about pricing: more than one-third of Trump’s own voters reported the cost of living as the worst they have experienced, according to a November Politico survey. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether Trump’s claim of emergency powers to impose tariffs by executive order is constitutional, with Trump warning the court in November against “serving hostile foreign interests” ahead of its ruling.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-tariffs-italy-pasta-taco-b2893225.html)

Trump will support more strikes on Iran if it rebuilds its missiles program

President Trump declared Monday that he would support Israeli military strikes against Iran if the country rebuilds its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs, stating “we will knock the hell out of them.” Speaking ahead of a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Palm Beach residence, Trump claimed he had learned Iran was attempting to expand its missile capabilities and threatened military action to prevent such advancement.

Trump referenced his June authorization of U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which he had previously claimed totally destroyed the country’s capabilities. He conditioned future support for Israeli action on Iran’s continued weapons development, saying “if they will continue with the missiles, yes. The nuclear, fast,” signaling readiness to endorse immediate strikes if nuclear programs resumed.

During the Monday meeting with Netanyahu, Trump also endorsed granting the Israeli prime minister a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog, calling Netanyahu a “wartime prime minister who’s a hero” and claiming Herzog told him a pardon was forthcoming. Netanyahu is currently facing a corruption trial and has requested the preemptive pardon before any potential conviction.

The meeting occurred as Netanyahu and Trump discussed escalating Iranian threats and the Gaza ceasefire. Trump’s statements on Iran followed his hosting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mar-a-Lago the previous day, where Trump expressed optimism about negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, demonstrating his administration’s willingness to pursue military action against some adversaries while seeking diplomatic deals with others.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-support-more-strikes-iran-203217312.html)

Trump Doubles Down On Claim U.S. Attacked Inside Venezuela

President Donald Trump claimed on December 29 that the United States struck a facility inside Venezuela, stating during a conversation at Mar-a-Lago that “we hit all the boats and now we hit the area.” Trump declined to specify whether the U.S. military or CIA conducted the operation, saying only that it occurred “along the shore” and that the targeted area is “no longer around.” This assertion followed an earlier radio interview where Trump first mentioned knocking out a “big facility where the ships come from” two nights prior.

The White House, Pentagon, U.S. Southern Command, and CIA have provided no official confirmation or evidence corroborating Trump’s claim. Anonymous American officials told The New York Times that Trump was “referring to a drug facility in Venezuela” but offered no details. Videos circulated online suggesting an explosion and fire at a Primazol chemical plant near Lake Maracaibo matched Trump’s timeline, though the company rejected claims it was attacked. A local journalist cautioned against the connection, noting residents observed nothing unusual. Trump’s statement remains unverified by independent sources or Venezuelan authorities.

Trump’s announcement followed months of escalating military operations in the Caribbean, including a declared “total and complete blockade” of Venezuelan oil shipments and numerous strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels that have killed over 100 people. The U.S. military presence has expanded significantly, with satellite imagery documenting doubled deployments of MC-130J transport aircraft, CV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and special operations forces staging at Puerto Rico airports. Personnel have been photographed obscuring fences to conceal military aircraft from public view.

The Trump administration has simultaneously expanded U.S. military presence across Latin America through security agreements, establishing troop deployment rights and operational access across multiple nations under the stated pretext of counter-narcotics efforts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned both the blockade and seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers, characterizing the policy as “neo-colonial” and warning of unpredictable consequences for the Western Hemisphere. The proximity of an amphibious ready group and special operations mothership in late December suggests preparations for operations beyond attacks on vessels.

Trump’s unsubstantiated claim of a Venezuelan strike contradicts the established pattern of official silence regarding covert military action, raising questions about the veracity of his assertion and the scope of undisclosed operations in the region. The absence of White House corroboration, military confirmation, or independent verification stands against Trump’s public statements, while escalating military deployments and infrastructure expansion indicate sustained preparations for expanded kinetic operations.

(Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-doubles-down-claim-u-204927819.html)

Pentagon plan calls for major power shifts within U.S. military – The Washington Post

Senior Pentagon officials are preparing a reorganization plan that would downgrade multiple major military headquarters and redistribute authority among the U.S. armed forces’ top generals, according to sources familiar with the initiative. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is driving the consolidation effort, which marks a significant restructuring of military command hierarchy.

The plan involves substantial shifts in power dynamics within the Department of Defense, fundamentally altering how the military branches coordinate and operate under unified command structures. The specific details of which headquarters would be downgraded and how authority would be redistributed remain under development by Pentagon leadership.

This reorganization reflects Hegseth’s broader agenda to reshape institutional military structures since his appointment as Defense Secretary. The consolidation strategy signals an effort to centralize control and streamline decision-making processes within the military establishment.

The timing and scope of these changes underscore the administration’s intent to remake federal institutions according to its preferences, consistent with earlier purges of independent oversight mechanisms across agencies. Such institutional overhauls typically encounter resistance from career military officers and existing power structures invested in current arrangements.

(Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/12/15/military-command-plan-caine-hegseth/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwdGRleAOtqdBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeb0mL3h6sJ1c_rBbLs0pcvApkKc8QD239S1X4dkYO2-ExKYQR2RscmrNIDOA_aem_QgyNhVpMmirOwJFbOUMA9w)

Trump orders ‘total and complete blockade’ of sanctioned oil tankers coming to and leaving Venezuela | CNN Politics

President Donald Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela on Tuesday via Truth Social, escalating military and economic pressure against Nicolás Maduro’s government. Trump stated that U.S. military assets surround Venezuela and demanded the country return oil, land, and assets to the United States, exposing the operation’s economic objectives beyond stated anti-drug efforts.

The blockade targets Venezuela’s primary economic lifeline amid existing international sanctions on its oil sector. Trump has repeatedly indicated that U.S. companies should regain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves—the world’s largest—if Maduro is removed from power. State-owned Petroleos de Venezuela controls the petroleum industry, though Houston-based Chevron operates under a sanctions carve-out that Trump revoked in March before conditionally reissuing it.

Trump accused Maduro of using “stolen oil” to finance terrorism, human trafficking, and criminal activity. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair that the administration’s military campaign aims to pressure Maduro to step down, contradicting earlier framing focused solely on narcotics interdiction. Venezuela’s government condemned the announcement as “a reckless and serious threat” and “a grave violation of International Law,” noting that blockades constitute acts of war under international treaties.

A 1961 Justice Department memo regarding Cuban tensions established that blockades are justified only when a state of war exists. Trump’s military operations in the region, including threatened ground invasions, follow Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement of “Southern Spear,” a hemisphere-wide military operation targeting suspected drug operations.

The blockade represents an explicit shift from counternarcotics justification to resource seizure, with Trump signaling intent to restore American corporate control over Venezuelan petroleum assets previously nationalized in the 1970s. Venezuela’s oil is sold primarily to China due to existing U.S. sanctions imposed since 2005.

(Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/blockade-venezuela-sanctioned-oil-tankers)

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