[Washington Post
Live Updates
Top GOP senators not sure what to make of Trump’s Panama and Greenland ambitions
By David Fahrenthold, The Washington Post
Updated: 5:35 p.m.
Senators from the Republican Party are divided about President Donald Trump’s proposals to potentially buy Greenland and, more recently, alleged developments in Panama that could be used for a future U.S. embassy.
Senators with knowledge of foreign policy issues are expressing caution and skepticism about both initiatives, while others are more open to exploring the concepts.
CNN reported last weekend that Trump, in a meeting with Denmark’s prime minister, proposed purchasing Greenland for “strategic reasons,” reportedly because of its importance as a potential military base and its natural resources.
Senators of both parties have expressed doubts about the proposal. Some argue that buying Greenland would be too costly and unpopular with the international community.
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “I don’t think it’s a very good idea, quite frankly.” He added that “it’s not clear what we would do with it, and it’s not clear how we would get it.”
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) also expressed apprehension, pointing out that “buying a nearly 82,000-square-mile island with around 56,000 people on it would be a very, very expensive proposition.”
On Panama, the president has been exploring the possibility of using the U.S. embassy’s current location in Panama City, Panama, to be redeveloped into a U.S.-Panama business center, which could result in more jobs and economic opportunities.
Some senators are skeptical about the proposal, citing concerns over the potential for overreach and the need for congressional approval.
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that “we need to be careful not to overreach” and that “we should not pursue any actions that would undermine the sovereignty of an independent nation.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed reservations as well, commenting that “Panama is an independent nation, and we need to respect its sovereignty.”
Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the committee’s chairman, was more open to exploring the concept, saying “if it’s good for the American people and good for the Panamanians, I’m all for it.”
The Senate has been tight-lipped about the administration’s proposals. Sources on Capitol Hill said that there has been no White House briefings on the issues.
The concerns voiced by these senators will likely be an early test for the administration’s ability to sell these ambitious plans, which will require significant diplomatic, financial, and political maneuvering to succeed.
Source link