| TRUMP AT HIS TRUMPIEST: Where to begin? Of all the Trumpy news conferences President-elect Donald Trump has held, Tuesday's Mar-a-Lago stemwinder might be the Trumpiest. While it's been said that we are all heroes of our own story, Trump may have set a record for the number of times he gave himself credit for accomplishments big and small, some of which don't quite align with the historical record. Such as… 'I SAVED NATO': Trump revived one of his favorite talking points when he claimed that he alone forced NATO nations to up their game, repeating his mischaracterization that many members were not "paying their bills" until he threatened to protect them no longer. "You know, years ago, when I first started this, I didn't know too much about NATO, but I got it right anyway. I said, 'They're taking advantage,'" Trump said. Of 28 countries, he said 21 were delinquent. "They weren't paying, or they were paying a very small portion. And I raised over $680 billion…by saying, 'If you don't pay, we're not going to protect you.' And as soon as I said that, the money came pouring in." "The secretary-general was here [in Mar-a-lago], as you know, two weeks ago, saying that if it weren't for me, NATO wouldn't even exist right now," Trump said. "So, in a true sense, I saved NATO." NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has praised Trump publicly for pushing the alliance to spend more on their defense and called for the current 32 members to aim for 4% of GDP, up from the 2% goal that was in place before Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But there are no "bills" paid by member nations, and the biggest jump in allied defense spending came after countries were spooked by Russian President Vladimir Putin's revanchist designs on Ukraine. Trump now says the goal should be even higher. "It should be 5%, not 2%. We need to spend more, not because of Donald Trump," Rutte said in a recent speech in which he put the increase in spending so far at $641 billion. "I don’t want to spend more because he wants. We have to spend more because our deterrence is at stake. Our security is at stake." Speaking of revanchism… 'THE PANAMA CANAL WAS BUILT FOR OUR MILITARY': The big headlines from yesterday's 70-minute long news conference were Trump's refusal to rule out military force to reclaim the Panama Canal, which was turned over to Panama in 1977, as well as acquire Greenland — a resource-rich, sparsely populated, giant island in the Arctic. "I'm not going to commit to that, no. It might be that you'll have to do…but I can say this: We need them for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for our military." Trump accused Panama of overcharging American ships for passage through the 51-mile-long shortcut, which opened in 1914. “They charge more for our ships than they charge for ships of other countries. They charge more for our Navy than they charge for navies of other countries. They laugh at us because they think we’re stupid, but we’re not stupid anymore,” he said. “Giving the Panama Canal to Panama was a very big mistake. We lost 38,000 people. It cost us the equivalent of $1 trillion, maybe more than that.” The canal took ten years to build and the official death count of contract construction workers, mostly from the Caribbean, was 5,609, with malaria being the most common cause of death. But the unofficial death toll is thought to be much higher. "Look, the Panama Canal is vital to our country. It's being operated by China — China, and we gave the Panama Canal to Panama. We didn't give it to China, and they've abused it. They've abused that gift," Trump said. "They've overcharged our ships, overcharged our Navy, and then when they need repair money, they come to the United States to put it up. We get nothing. Those days are over." TRUMP WON'T RULE OUT MILITARY FORCE TO TAKE PANAMA CANAL AND GREENLAND 'WE NEED GREENLAND … THEY SHOULD GIVE IT UP': It's clear that Trump has had his eye on Greenland for some time, and with competition with China and Russia heating up in the Arctic, he argues the U.S. needs the island more than Denmark, which has owned Greenland as an autonomous territory since the early 1800s. It was fully integrated with Denmark in 1953. "We need Greenland for national security purposes. I've been told that for a long time, long before I even ran. I mean, people have been talking about it for a long time. You have approximately 45,000 people there," Trump said. The current population is more like 56,000. "People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security." Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., made a quick trip to Greenland on Tuesday and later told Sean Hannity on his Fox News show that the Danish citizens of Greenland, "Love America. They love MAGA. They love Trump. It was awesome." "So many of these young kids coming up and telling us on a daily basis, you know, when we go to Denmark, we're treated like second and third-class citizens. They tell us to go home. There seems to be quite a bit of racism there," Trump Jr. said. "And they just want to live their best life just like we want to live ours in America." "The people are going to probably vote for independence or to come into the United States," said Trump Sr., who wants to buy Greenland from Denmark. The Danish government has repeatedly insisted the ice-covered island is not for sale. "If they did do that, then I would tariff Denmark at a very high level." Using military force to take over Greenland is not only improbable, but impractical, given that Denmark is a founding member of NATO, and NATO nations are treaty bound not only to defend each other, but not to attack each other. As they say in the infomercials, "But wait, there's more!" DON TRUMP JR. VISITS GREENLAND AFTER FATHER'S FLIRTATION WITH BUYING TERRITORY Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie (@chriswtremo). Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE TRUMP TO CANADA: 'WE DON'T NEED A PARTNER': Trump basically declared economic war with America's friendly neighbor to the north, threatening to scuttle a deal announced last summer to build a fleet of icebreakers with Canada and Finland while promising massive tariffs to bend Canada to his will and make it America's 51st state. Asked if he would use military force to annex Canada, Trump replied, "No. Economic force, because Canada and the United States, that would really be something. You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like. And it would also be much better for national security. Don't forget, we basically protect Canada." Trump claimed, without any real explanation, that the U.S. spends "hundreds of billions a year" to protect Canada and that he's ready to end trade with the ally. "They make 20% of our cars. We don't need that. I'd rather make them in Detroit…We don't need their lumber. We have massive fields of lumber…We don't need anything they have. We don't need their dairy products. We have more than they have. We don't need anything," Trump said. "We're buying icebreakers, and Canada wants to join us in the buying of icebreakers. I said [to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau], 'You know, we don't really want to have a partner on the buying of icebreakers. We don't need a partner." "There isn't a snowball's chance in hell that Canada would become part of the United States," Trudeau said in a post on X. "Workers and communities in both our countries benefit from being each other's biggest trading and security partner." TRUMP ON UKRAINE: 'MUCH MORE COMPLICATED': Trump has dropped his campaign boast that he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine in 24 hours and now admits the situation is, in his words, "much more complicated." That's a tough one, much tougher than it would've been before it started, I can tell you that. A deal could have been made just by an average deal-maker; a deal could've been made on that." Trump said he hopes to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon after he takes office, but wouldn't put a timeline on it. "I can't tell you that, but I know that Putin would like to meet. I don't think it's appropriate that I meet until after the 20th, which I hate because, you know, every day many, many young people are being killed." "We're going to have to settle up with Russia/Ukraine. That's a disaster. I look at numbers every week. The number of people being killed in that war — people don't know — mostly soldiers now. But the towns have been obliterated," Trump said, blaming President Joe Biden for what he called the "Biden fiasco." "A big part of the problem was Russia for many, many years, long before Putin, said you could never have NATO involved with Ukraine. Now, they've said that. That's been, like, written in stone. And somewhere along the line, Biden said, 'No, they should be able to join NATO.' Well, then Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feeling about that," Trump said, repeating a favorite Putin talking point. "Trump is wrong. Biden did not change Trump’s policy on Ukraine’s membership prospects in NATO," Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, countered on X. "There was no abrupt ratcheting up of an accession process in 2021. Putin did not need to invade Ukraine in 2022 to stop NATO expansion." "In threatening Canada, Denmark, and Panama, is Trump trying to distract us from our real national security challenges, like deterring war in Europe and Asia, stopping war in Ukraine & the Middle East, or competing with the PRC on AI, trade," McFaul argued. 'EUROPE IS IN FOR A TINY FRACTION OF THE MONEY THAT WE'RE IN.' Trump continues to portray Ukraine as Europe's problem and complains that European countries should be doing more. "Whether you like that situation or not, Europe is much more affected than the United States. We have a thing called the ocean in between us, right? Why are we in for billions and billions of dollars more money than Europe?" Trump said. "There are similar-sized economies to the United States when you add them up. And yet, Europe is in for a small fraction of the number the United States is in." While the United States is the biggest single donor of military and economic aid to Ukraine, it's not true that Europe only provides a "tiny fraction" of financial assistance. As of Dec. 30, the United States has committed more than $66 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, according to the Pentagon. However, as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin prepares to convene another meeting of the 50-nation Ukraine contact group tomorrow in Germany, he notes that many European countries are doing more than the U.S. percentage-wise. "This coalition has committed more than $106 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since February 2022, and our friends continue to dig deep. As a percentage of GDP, a dozen of our allies actually contribute more to Ukraine’s self-defense than the United States and we continue to see impressive new security assistance commitments," he said in September. THE GULF OF AMERICA? "We're going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, which has a beautiful ring. That covers a lot of territory," Trump said. "The Gulf of America, what a beautiful name. And it's appropriate — it's appropriate." Can he do that? Sure he can. It doesn't take an act of Congress. It's simply a matter of convincing mapmakers around the world to change the name, starting perhaps with National Geographic and then maybe the International Hydrographic Organization. There is some precedent. After the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the U.S. military stopped calling the body of water between Iran and Saudi Arabia the "Persian Gulf," instead arguing that with many Gulf states along its coast, the "Arabian Gulf" was a more appropriate name. The Gulf of Mexico was "discovered" by Sebastian de Ocampo in 1508 and was first named "Golfo Mexicano" on a 1569 Mercator map. Both the United States and Mexico have five states that have coastlines on the Gulf. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE PENS 'GULF OF AMERICA' BILL, ARGUES 'IT'S OUR GULF' THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: Trump won't rule out military force to take Panama Canal and Greenland Washington Examiner: Don Trump Jr. visits Greenland after father's flirtation with buying territory Washington Examiner: Why Trump is likely so interested in Greenland Washington Examiner: Trump: 'All hell will break out' if hostages aren't released by inauguration Washington Examiner: Trump signals 'major pardons' on the way for Jan. 6 defendants Washington Examiner: Marjorie Taylor Greene pens 'Gulf of America' bill, argues 'It's our gulf' Washington Examiner: Republicans defer to Trump on Jan. 6 pardons on riot anniversary Washington Examiner: Mike Waltz slams Biden as more focused on climate change than terrorism Washington Examiner: Elizabeth Warren outlines concerns about Hegseth nomination ahead of confirmation battle Washington Examiner: US determines Sudanese rebel force committed genocide Washington Examiner: House passes Laken Riley Act in first legislative act of new Congress Washington Examiner: Mike Johnson plans to use reconciliation to circumvent Democrats on debt limit fight Washington Examiner: Mike Johnson sees Laken Riley Act as test for Democrats Washington Examiner: Opinion: America must confront China's information warfare Washington Examiner: Opinion: Biden's China failure can be Trump's success Wall Street Journal: Iran Pulls Most Forces from Syria, in Blow to Tehran's Regional Ambitions Air & Space Forces Magazine: Biden Admin Prepares 'Substantial' Final Aid Package to Ukraine Washington Post: Pentagon to Blacklist China's Largest EV Battery and Tech Firms The War Zone: Tailless Fighter-Like Airframe Appears at Chinese Jet Manufacturer Shenyang's Main Plant Air & Space Forces Magazine: Kendall: Reveal of New Chinese Aircraft 'Hasn't Really Changed' USAF Plans Aviation Week: Lockheed Topped F-35 Delivery Range in 2024 Breaking Defense: Air Force Clears BAE's F-15 Electronic Warfare Kit for Full Rate Production Breaking Defense: US Completes $9B B61-12 Nuclear Warhead Upgrade Air & Space Forces Magazine: Off-Road Reaper: Air Force MQ-9 Roughs It for ACE Exercise Defense One: SPRINT Contractors Add Details About Their Fast, Runway-Independent Aircraft Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Eyes New Jam-Resistant Tactical SATCOM Options SpaceNews: Pentagon Awards Anduril $14.3 Million to Expand Production of Solid Rocket Motors The Cipher Brief: 8 Global Security Questions for 2025 The Cipher Brief: How Many 'Wake-Up Calls' Will it Take for US to Counter China Cyberattacks? Military.com: Tricare West Region Woes: Reserve Members Mistakenly Told They Owe Up to $1,200 More Each Month THE CALENDAR: WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 8 7 a.m. U.S. Capitol Rotunda — President Jimmy Carter lies in state for second day ahead of state funeral Jan. 9. https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/ 9:15 a.m. 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW — Henry L. Stimson Center discussion: “The U.S.-Japan Alliance for the Future,” with former Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara https://www.stimson.org/event/the-u-s-japan-alliance-for-the-future 11:45 a.m. 58 East 68th St., New York, New York — Council on Foreign Relations book discussion: At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House, with author and former national security adviser retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster; and former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, CFR president https://www.cfr.org/event/distinguished-voices-series-hr-mcmaster 2 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion of a new Russia Tomorrow report, “Sanctioned Kleptocracy: How Putin’s Kremligarchs Have Survived the War — and Even Prospered," with Anders Aslund, senior fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum (virtually); Ilya Zaslavskiy, senior campaigner at Razom We Stand; Jodi Vittori, professor of practice at Georgetown University; Kimberly Donovan, director of the Atlantic Council’s Economic Statecraft Initiative; and Daniel Fried, Atlantic Council fellow https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/report-launch 3 p.m. — Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance Deterrence Center virtual discussion of a new report: "First We Will Defend the Homeland: The Case for Homeland Missile Defense," with authors Robert Soofer, senior fellow, Forward Defense, and lead on the Nuclear Strategy Project, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council; Mark Massa, deputy director, Forward Defense, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homeland-missile-defense 5:30 p.m. — American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research virtual discussion: “Russia’s Difficult Road to Freedom,” with Vladimir Kara-Murza, vice president of the Free Russia Foundation and former Russian opposition leader; and Leon Aron, AEI senior fellow https://www.aei.org/events/russias-difficult-road-to-freedom THURSDAY | JANUARY 9 | FEDERAL HOLIDAY 9 a.m. — Remains of former President Jimmy Carter depart the U.S. Capitol for the hour-long 10 a.m. state funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral in northwest Washington, after which Carter’s family and his casket travel to Joint Base Andrews and where Special Air Mission 39 returns Carter to Georgia for interment https://jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/ 9 a.m. — Brookings Institution virtual discussion: “What do people in Taiwan and the United States think about Taiwan’s security situation?” with Lu-Huei Chen, research fellow and director at National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center; Nathan Batto, associate research fellow and professor at Academia Sinica’s Institute of Political Science; Craig Kafura, director of public opinion and foreign policy at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and Ryan Hass, director of the Brookings Institution’s China Center, senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Asia Policy Studies and China Center and chair in Taiwan Studies at the Brookings Institution https://www.brookings.edu/events/what-do-people-in-taiwan-and-the-united-states-think FRIDAY | JANUARY 10 8:30 a.m. — Brookings Institution virtual discussion: “How will artificial intelligence impact security relations between the United States and China? U.S. and Chinese perspectives,” with Andrew Forrest, co-founder of the Minderoo Foundation; Qian Xiao, deputy director of the Tsinghua University Center for International Security and Strategy; Ting Dong, fellow at the Tsinghua University Center for International Security and Strategy; Chuanying Lu, nonresident fellow and professor at the Tsinghua University Center for International Security and Strategy and Tongji University; Jacquelyn Schneider, fellow and director of the Hoover Institution’s Hoover Wargaming and Crisis Simulation; Ryan Hass, director of the Brookings China Center; Colin Kahl, foreign policy scholar at the Brookings Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology; and Chris Meserole, former Brookings expert https://www.brookings.edu/events/how-will-artificial-intelligence-impact-security WEDNESDAY | JANUARY 15 7 a.m. 2425 Wilson Blvd. — Association of the U.S. Army day long Hot Topic discussion: "Connecting the Industrial Base to the Tactical Edge, with Lt. Gen. Chris Mohan, acting commander, U.S. Army Materiel Command; Vic Ramdass, principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy; Liz Miranda, executive deputy to the commanding general, U.S. Army Material Command; Maj. Gen. Michael Lalor, commander, U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command; Brig. Gen. Ronnie Anderson, commander, Joint Munitions Command; and Rich Martin, executive director of supply chain management at Army Materiel Command https://www.ausa.org/events/hot-topic/connecting-industrial-base-tactical-edge 9 a.m. 2401 M St. NW — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group coffee-conversation with Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith RSVP: [email protected] | | | | "So we're going to have a lot of fun making America great again, and it's going to happen, I think, very, very quickly … . I'm just telling you, this will be the Golden Age of America. This is the Golden Age of America. We're going to have a great country again." | | President-elect Donald Trump, speaking at a news conference at Mar-a-Lago Tuesday |
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