Trump names close aide to Panama ambassador "virtually Chinese colony"

Trump to name close aides to Panama's ambassador from campaign
"Fantastic job representing national interests in Panama"
"Merry Christmas to Chinese soldiers illegally operating in Panama"

[Anchor]
President-elect Trump, who has declared that he will regain control of the Panama Canal, has named his confidant as the ambassador to Panama.

It also circulated the claim that Panama was actually a Chinese colony, reaffirming that the 'return of the canal' was sincere.

This is Washington correspondent Kwon Jun-ki.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President-elect (last 23rd): The United States is doing a stupid thing. We need to stop (Panama) from being ripped off right now.]

[Reporter]
President-elect Trump, who claimed to get back the right to operate the Panama Canal, has named Kevin Cabrera as Panama's ambassador.

He is a close aide who helped his campaign in Florida and also holds the title of the American First Institute, a pro-Trump think tank.

Trump wrote on social media that Cabrera would do a fantastic job representing the national interest in Panama, which rips the United States.

Following Trump's earlier provocation of Panama by posting a picture of "Welcome to the U.S. Canal,"

Panama is actually a Chinese colony and has posted that it needs urgent action in the interest of the United States.

He also wrote that the U.S., which is responsible for billions of dollars, has no say in the canal, celebrating Christmas to Chinese soldiers who illegally operate the Panama Canal.

Trump also continued to mock Canada for being at odds over tariffs, arguing that if Canada became the 51st U.S. state, it would cut taxes by 60% and double the size of the company.

He also said he should start a campaign to make Wayne Gretzky, an ice hockey legend, the prime minister of Canada.

As for Greenland, which insisted on buying the territory, Greenlanders did not stop provoking Denmark, which owns Greenland, saying that they wanted the U.S. to come and we would go.

After Trump's claim, the Danish government announced that it would increase its defense spending by more than 2 trillion won to strengthen Greenland's military facilities.

This is YTN Kwon Jun-ki from Washington.


Video editing: Han Kyung-hee
Design: Woo Hee-seok