(CNN) — President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday introduced his choose for US ambassador to Panama.
Trump named Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as his selection for the publish after suggesting that the US ought to take management of the Panama Canal – a proposal he first floated over the weekend whereas claiming that Panama is “ripping off” American ships that go by means of the waterway.
“I’m happy to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera will function the USA Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, a Nation that’s ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far past their wildest goals,” Trump mentioned in an announcement. The president-elect added Cabrera, who additionally labored for his presidential marketing campaign in Florida, “will do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s pursuits in Panama!”
Trump on Wednesday continued to tease US territorial enlargement in social media posts, criticizing the operation of the canal and doubling down on options the US ought to soak up Canada and Greenland, a territory managed by Denmark.
In a sardonic Christmas message, Trump claimed Chinese language troopers are working the Panama Canal and reiterated his criticism that Panama is exploiting US vessels that use the waterway.
“Merry Christmas to all, together with to the great troopers of China, who’re lovingly, however illegally, working the Panama Canal (the place we misplaced 38,000 individuals in its constructing 110 years in the past), at all times guaranteeing that the USA places in Billions of {Dollars} in ‘restore’ cash, however may have completely nothing to say about ‘something,’” Trump wrote on his Reality Social community.
In the identical message, Trump known as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “governor,” once more insinuating Canada ought to turn into a US state. He additionally urged the residents of Greenland “need the US to be there, and we are going to.”
In one other publish, Trump mentioned he spoke to hockey nice Wayne Gretzky on Wednesday about working for prime minister of Canada. Trump mentioned Gretzky wasn’t within the position however urged Canadians to rally assist for Gretzky.
Trump’s obvious push to broaden US territory appears, partly, to function a negotiating tactic aligned along with his broader objective of reshaping US commerce coverage. Trump’s suggestion that Canada turn into the 51st US state comes as he threatens to lift tariffs on the nation, and his name to take management of the Panama Canal was first introduced as a warning to decrease charges on American ships that journey by means of the waterway.
It’s unclear whether or not Trump’s expressed curiosity in increasing the US replicate of his earnest intentions. Trump’s transition group beforehand declined to make clear the precise motivations behind his statements and up to date feedback in public remarks.
Trump’s Christmas messages on social media additionally included wishing “Merry Christmas to the Radical Left Lunatics” and an assault on the 37 federal inmates whose sentences President Joe Biden on Monday commuted from demise row to life in jail.
“I refuse to want a Merry Christmas to these fortunate ‘souls’ however, as an alternative, will say, GO TO HELL!,” he mentioned.
On Tuesday, Trump mentioned he would direct his Division of Justice to “vigorously pursue the demise penalty” whereas criticizing Biden’s resolution to take away all however three federal inmates from demise row.
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