NBC News is reporting President Trump has directed the Pentagon to develop proposals to advance his threats of seizing the Panama Canal. The U.S. Southern Command is reportedly drafting potential plans to increase U.S. military presence in Panama and partner more closely with Panamanian forces in an attempt to diminish China’s influence and cut off its access to ports in the Panama Canal. The NBC News report is based on the accounts of two U.S. officials. Panamanian officials responded saying, “our sovereignty over the Panama Canal is absolute and not the basis of any negotiation.” The Panama Canal Authority is run entirely by the Panamanian government, not China, as Trump has falsely claimed.

Meanwhile, Trump was asked about his threats to annex Greenland during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Trump’s reply: “I think it will happen.” During their meeting, Rutte praised Trump and vowed to keep rallying NATO members to increase military spending.