Trump refuses to rule out military force to take over Greenland and Panama Canal

Trump said he would also move to try to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America', saying it has a 'beautiful ring to it'

President-elect Donald Trump speaking during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Tuesday (Evan Vucci/AP)

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared US control of both to be vital to American national security.

Speaking to reporters less than two weeks before he takes office on January 20 and as a delegation of aides and advisers that includes his son Donald Trump Jr is in Greenland, Mr Trump left open the use of the American military to secure both territories.