Biden Blasts Trump Over "America’s Gulf" Comments, Calls for Respect for Core U.S. Values

In a scathing interview with the BBC on Monday, former President Joe Biden condemned the recent comments made by his successor, President Donald Trump, regarding his musings on territorial acquisitions.

Specifically, Biden lashed out at Trump’s remarks suggesting that the U.S. could consider acquiring countries like Panama, Greenland, or even Canada—an approach Biden described as antithetical to the very principles that the United States has long stood for.

“What the hell’s going on here?” Biden asked, incredulously. He was referring to Trump’s recent statements, which have sparked concern and confusion.

The former president cited Trump’s hypothetical proposals, including the suggestion that the U.S. might eventually "take back Panama," "acquire Greenland," or even make Canada the 51st state.

These comments, Biden argued, are not only historically misguided but fundamentally against the spirit of America’s democratic ideals.

“That’s not who we are,” Biden continued, his voice tinged with exasperation. “We’re about freedom, democracy, opportunity, not about confiscation.”

Biden, who focused his entire presidency on reinforcing and strengthening international alliances, particularly NATO, emphasized that the U.S. should not be looking to expand its territory through conquest or coercion.

The comments from Trump have raised eyebrows both in the U.S. and internationally. The suggestion that the U.S. could seek to acquire other sovereign nations is not only a departure from the diplomatic norms of the modern era but also stands in stark contrast to the values Biden promoted during his tenure.

The idea of territorial expansionism seemed out of place in a world where the U.S. has championed international cooperation, multilateralism, and self-determination for all nations.

Biden’s remarks were in response to Trump’s most recent statements about America’s geopolitical ambitions. In a recent interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump continued to entertain the idea of expanding U.S. territory, suggesting that the U.S. could eventually take control of Greenland.

The former president’s comments came in the context of a broader conversation about what he perceives as the U.S.’s national security needs and international positioning.

While Trump also mused about the possibility of making Canada the 51st state, he appeared to rule out the use of military force to achieve that goal. “I think we’re not going to ever get to that point,” Trump said in the interview.

“I don’t see it with Canada. I just don’t see it. I have to be honest with you.” Nevertheless, his comments about Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, remained more open-ended.

Trump’s remarks on Greenland, a massive island that lies strategically between North America and Europe, have garnered the most attention. During the Meet the Press interview, Trump did not shy away from the possibility of seeking to acquire Greenland, which has been a topic of speculation ever since Trump’s 2019 attempt to purchase the territory from Denmark.

While his words were cautious—“I think it’s highly unlikely”—he made it clear that he was not ruling out the possibility. “Something could happen with Greenland. I’ll be honest. We need that for national and international security,” Trump said.

The idea that the U.S. might seek to take control of Greenland, despite Denmark's ownership, is as controversial as it is provocative. In 2019, when the Trump administration formally explored the purchase of Greenland, it faced immediate backlash from Denmark and other countries, with many perceiving it as a relic of colonialism.

The Danish government flatly rejected the offer, calling it “absurd.” However, Trump’s comments on Meet the Press suggest that the idea of acquiring Greenland is still very much on his radar.

“We need Greenland very badly,” Trump added during the interview, emphasizing its strategic value. “Greenland is a very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them and all of that, but we need that for international security.”

The assertion that Greenland’s sparse population would be of no consequence to the U.S. in such a scenario has drawn sharp criticism. Critics argue that Trump’s comments reflect an outdated and imperialistic view of geopolitics, where territory acquisition is pursued not for mutual benefit but to further national interests, often at the expense of sovereignty and self-determination.

Biden, in his interview, expressed deep concern over the ramifications of such statements, particularly when considering the historical relationship the U.S. has had with international diplomacy.

“We’ve spent decades building alliances, and now we hear a president talking about acquiring territories like we’re some kind of imperial power,” Biden remarked. “This rhetoric is dangerous and undermines the very foundation of what America stands for.”

Beyond Greenland, Trump’s suggestion that Canada could become the 51st state drew further scorn. While Trump downplayed this idea by stating that he “just doesn’t see it” happening, the notion of annexing an entire sovereign nation, regardless of its proximity or shared political ideology, is a provocative one.

The proposal echoes Trump’s tendency to look at global relationships through a transactional lens, reducing them to discussions about control and influence.

For Biden, who spent his presidency working to strengthen America’s foreign alliances, the idea that a former president could casually entertain such ideas reflects a dangerous shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Biden has been an adamant defender of NATO, the post-World War II military alliance that binds the U.S. to Europe, and has often spoken of the need for the U.S. to be a leader in international cooperation, not a conqueror.

In the BBC interview, Biden also responded to concerns about NATO’s future, particularly among those who believe the alliance is waning in influence. Some have suggested that the Atlantic alliance, which was formed in the wake of World War II to counter Soviet expansion, is now facing an existential crisis in the 21st century.

“It’s a grave concern,” Biden said. “I think it would change the modern history of the world.” His words were a clear indication that he sees NATO as vital to global stability, and the U.S. role within it crucial for maintaining peace and security in Europe.

Biden’s condemnation of Trump’s remarks also comes at a time when U.S. foreign policy is under intense scrutiny. While the current president, Joe Biden, has worked tirelessly to rebuild relationships with key allies, Trump’s legacy remains intertwined with his “America First” approach, which frequently sought to undermine or withdraw from longstanding international agreements.

This tension between the two men is a reflection of the broader ideological divide that separates their views on America’s role in the world.

It is also worth noting that while Biden’s criticism of Trump’s statements is part of a larger political battle, it also underscores the deep ideological differences between the two leaders.

Biden represents a return to a more traditional, diplomatic approach to international relations, while Trump’s rhetoric suggests a more aggressive, nationalist vision for the U.S. and its place in the world.

The public clash between Biden and Trump over the future of U.S. foreign policy raises important questions about the direction the country will take after the upcoming elections.

Will the U.S. continue to prioritize diplomacy and international cooperation, or will it retreat into a more isolationist stance, as Trump seems to suggest? These questions will likely dominate political discourse in the years to come, as the next generation of leaders grapples with the challenges of a rapidly changing global landscape.

In the meantime, Trump’s comments about acquiring other countries—particularly his fixation on Greenland—serve as a reminder of how much U.S. foreign policy can shift with the changing of the political guard.

While Biden’s administration focuses on rebuilding alliances and promoting peace, Trump’s rhetoric raises unsettling questions about whether the U.S. will return to a mindset of territorial expansionism or pursue a more isolationist path.

In conclusion, while Trump’s musings about acquiring territories like Greenland and Canada may seem far-fetched and even absurd to some, they nonetheless reflect a deeper and more troubling shift in how the former president views America’s place in the world.

Biden’s condemnation of these ideas as un-American is a call to remember the core principles that have long guided U.S. foreign policy—principles of freedom, democracy, and cooperation. As the global stage continues to evolve, it remains to be seen which vision for America’s future will ultimately prevail.