welcome to the United States Channel

The first plane landed at Nuuk International Airport. This touchdown symbolizes the next step in the development of Greenland – it is intended to facilitate tourists' access to it and bring additional income to the local community.

The inauguration took place less than a month ago. Now the president-elect of the United States has claimed the largest island in the world, geographically belonging to the North American continent. Donald Trump suggested that the autonomy administered by the Danes should belong to the United States.

“For the purposes of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America believes that possession and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” reads Donald Trump's tweet.

Donald Trump also announced the nomination as ambassador to Denmark for Ken Howery – a billionaire and friend of Elon Musk, who was already ambassador to Sweden during the first Trump administration. “Ken will do a wonderful job representing the interests of the United States. Thank you, Ken, and congratulations,” wrote the president-elect.

Already in 2019, during his first term, the Republican said that he was considering purchasing Greenland. He canceled his trip to Denmark when the country's authorities said the island was not for sale. This time, the local government issued a similar, clear statement.

“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We cannot lose our long fight for freedom,” wrote Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede.

SEE ALSO: Greenland is becoming greener. This is very bad news

Currently, 80 percent of Greenland is covered with ice. This makes it difficult to extract the deposits it is rich in, but global warming and a climate catastrophe mean that the cover is crumbling. According to this year's UN report, ice turns into two and a half million liters of water every second. That's why scientists are calling on us to stick to the provisions of the Paris Agreement, from which Donald Trump wants to withdraw.

– We are approaching some of our tipping points that are not reversible. Ice caps in Greenland and parts of Antarctica are melting, which will lead to a catastrophic rise in sea levels. Hence the goal of limiting warming to one and a half degrees Celsius. We try to maintain it, stay as close as possible – emphasizes Prof. Liz Bentley, director of the Royal Meteorological Society, meteorologist at the University of Reading.

The Republican, who will take office in less than a month, spoke to a crowd of conservatives from Turning Point Action on Sunday. His speech included more controversial statements. From the stage, he threatened to restore American control of the Panama Canal.

– They're ripping us off so much that it's just shameful. Our navy and merchant shipping are treated unfairly and unreasonably. The fees that Panama charges are ridiculously high and this is very unfair. Especially when we think about the extraordinary generosity we have shown to Panama. This is unwise of the United States, such a rip-off of our country. This must end immediately, said Donald Trump.

This possibility has been categorically ruled out by the country's authorities. – Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones belongs to Panama and will remain so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not subject to negotiation, emphasizes the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino.

The future president then wrote on his social media, “We'll see,” and then added a photo of the canal with an American flag and the caption: “Welcome to the United States Canal.”

READ ALSO: Trump threatens and invokes the 1977 treaty

At the same meeting with his supporters in Arizona, Donald Trump announced that he intended to change the name of the highest peak in North America – Denali – to Mount McKinley, in honor of William McKinley – the 25th president of the United States.

– McKinley was the president responsible for raising a huge amount of money for the United States, which was then spent by Teddy Roosevelt. So let's just say they were both great presidents. But McKinley did it. And that's one of the reasons we're going to bring back the Mount McKinley name, because I think it deserves it. – argues Donald Trump.

The name Denali comes from a language used by the Native Alaskans and means “big mountain”. It was introduced by Democrats during the Barack Obama administration. The state of Alaska has been demanding this from federal authorities for years.