Washington:
Republican US President-elect Donald Trump held a press conference on Tuesday and spoke about a range of issues including NATO, Israeli hostages in Gaza, his desire for the US to buy Greenland and take control of the Panama Canal.
He also discussed Elon Musk and the speculation that Canada would become a US state.
Here are some of his most important quotes ahead of his inauguration on January 20.
CANADA
Asked about his idea that Canada should be a U.S. state, Trump said: “You take away that artificially drawn border, and you see what it looks like, and that would be much better for national security as well. Remember, we are actually protecting Canada. But here’s the problem with Canada. There are so many friends there. I love the Canadian people. They’re great, but we’re spending hundreds of billions a year to protect it, billions a year to ensure Canada loses to trade deficits.”
ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN GAZA
“All hell will break loose. If they’re not back by the time I come to power, all hell will break loose in the Middle East, and that won’t be good for Hamas, and frankly, it won’t be good for anyone. All hell will break loose.”
MEXICO
“We have a huge deficit with Mexico, and we help Mexico a lot. They’re basically run by the cartels and they can’t let that happen because Mexico is really in trouble, a lot of trouble, a very dangerous place. ‘We are going to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What a beautiful name. And it’s appropriate. And Mexico must stop allowing millions of people into our country.”
PANAMA CANAL, GREENLAND
Since winning the Nov. 5 election, Trump has talked about the U.S. purchase of the Danish territory of Greenland, and the U.S. regaining control of the Panama Canal. He declined Tuesday to rule out military or economic action as part of those desires.
Trump added: “I can say this: We need them for economic security.” Trump did not promise to negotiate a treaty with Panama, but said: “Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country.” He added: “It’s run by China, China, and we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn’t give it to China, and they abused it. They abused that gift. It should never have been made. .”
ELON MUSK
Musk, the CEO of Tesla and Trump’s pick to co-chair a committee aimed at cutting government spending, has criticized British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in recent days for his actions as Starmer director of public ministry in Great Britain.
Musk has said Starmer failed to prosecute gangs of men who raped young girls. Starmer said on Tuesday that Musk knew “absolutely nothing” about the scandals he was commenting on.
Musk has also expressed support for the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Asked about his response to Musk’s “provocative statements” on foreign affairs in Europe and elsewhere, Trump said: “I can say Elon is doing a good job. Very smart guy. I don’t know the people you’re talking about. He was I know he said some negative things about some of the people running for office, but that’s not that unusual.”
TRUMP ON NATO
Trump said he believes NATO’s European members should spend 5% of their GDP on the alliance’s defense. “I think NATO should have 5%, yes. Well, you can’t do that with two percent. I mean, with 2% for each country, if you want to have a country and a regular army, you’re at 4%. I think they should, they’re in dangerous territory. They can all afford it, but they should be at 5% and not 2%.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)