Contrary to the belief that Donald Trump can be reasoned with and agreements can be reached, his actions have consistently shown him to be an unpredictable and authoritarian figure. His ambitions seem to have no limits, making it crucial to closely monitor and analyze his every move.
Since his second presidential term began, he has proposed ideas that resemble those of old colonial powers. One such idea was the purchase of Greenland from Denmark, which visibly upset him when met with opposition. He holds similar views about Canada, believing that the borders between the two nations should be eliminated and that Canada should become part of the United States.
By imposing 25% tariffs on major trade partners, Trump risks isolating the U.S. and triggering worldwide economic instability.
In his policies regarding the Gulf of Mexico, he acted as though the region should be entirely under U.S. control, with other countries merely observers.
Even regarding the Gaza crisis, his proposals suggested that the fate of an entire nation was nothing more than a game for his geopolitical objectives. These actions have angered Europeans, who now claim that U.S. officials, including Elon Musk, are interfering in their political affairs.
By imposing 25% tariffs on imports from countries like China, Canada, Mexico, and even the United Kingdom and European Union members, Trump has created a unique trade challenge for the United States. This approach not only makes him a controversial president but also a politician who aggressively seizes opportunities for expansionism. Here’s a summary of the 10 most controversial of the ‘declared’ ambitions of the new occupant of the White House, which we will examine in the following sections.
Canada and the Dream of the 51st State:
Trump’s imperial ambitions began with Canada. The U.S. president has asserted ownership of Canada by publishing maps showing the country as part of the U.S. and declaring that it should become the 51st state.
Trump’s expansionist ambitions include claims over Canada, the Panama Canal, and even Gaza, pushing global tensions to new heights.
Not content with words alone, he imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada in response to Canadian officials’ adverse reactions, further escalating tensions. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that Canada will never become part of the United States, even advising its citizens not to travel to the U.S. for vacations.
Aiming for the Panama Canal:
Trump’s next target was the Panama Canal. He claimed that the canal should be returned to the United States. In his inaugural speech, he provocatively stated, “We did not give the Panama Canal to China; we ‘ceded’ it, and now we will ‘take it back.'” This was despite the fact that the administration of the canal is entirely under Panama’s control. Trump had previously claimed on social media that “Chinese soldiers” were managing this strategic waterway and even threatened to seize it unless the cost of passage for U.S. ships was reduced.
A Plan for the Gulf of Mexico:
The Gulf of Mexico was another target of Trump’s ambitions. He suggested renaming it to “The Gulf of America,” which led to strong reactions from Mexicans. Unable to bear these responses, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican exports, starting a new trade war. Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, responded by saying that Mexico would retaliate against these pressures. However, it appears that both parties reached an agreement to suspend tariffs for a month.
A Five-Year Dream of Acquiring Greenland:
Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland dates back to 2019, when he proposed buying the ice-covered island, which is under Danish ownership. He argued that U.S. control over Greenland was an “absolute necessity” for international security. This claim was met with anger from Denmark, and now, after regaining power, Trump is once again focused on acquiring the island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has bluntly stated that “Greenland is not for sale.” Analysts suggest that, given Denmark’s NATO membership, Trump’s comments on Greenland could lead to severe tensions between Europe and the U.S.
Trump’s Unhealthy Decisions:
Trump, who has constantly shifted the boundaries of unpredictability, declared that he no longer trusted the World Health Organization (WHO) and withdrew the U.S. from it. This controversial decision has only weakened global cooperation on health and undermined international efforts to combat dangerous diseases, leading many to question his leadership.
Backing Out of the Paris Agreement:
Trump’s bizarre behavior toward countries and international institutions extended to the Paris Climate Agreement. Always seeking to strengthen fossil fuel industries, he dismissed the agreement as insignificant and withdrew from it despite the world facing a severe climate crisis. Environmental experts have expressed concern over this decision, stressing that it undermines global efforts to combat climate change. While many countries move toward clean energy, Trump has once again demonstrated that, rather than focusing on the future of the planet, he prioritizes the short-term interests of the “oil” industry.
An Attempt to Conquer Gaza:
Trump’s expansionist madness reached Gaza as well. In his most recent public statement, he declared that “the United States will seize Gaza, and we are going to take it. We will possess it.” This plan has even shocked his closest allies. In a recent press conference with Netanyahu, Trump said, in a possessive tone, that the U.S. would take over Gaza and make it “ours,” even as the region was still recovering from bombings. Such talk of annexing Gaza can only come from someone with the ambitions of Trump.
Colombia’s Refusal to Be Subjugated:
This time, the victim was Colombia. When the country refused to accept deported migrants on a military plane, Trump launched a full attack. In response, he imposed harsh sanctions, such as a 25% tariff that later rose to 50%, a ban on Colombian officials entering the U.S., banking sanctions, and even visa restrictions on politicians’ families.
Trump’s sanctions on Colombia and the ICC reflect his aggressive foreign policy, prioritizing U.S. dominance over diplomacy.
The weight of these pressures eventually forced the Colombian government to submit. Later, Trump proudly stated that this event demonstrated that the U.S. was once again “respected.” However, Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro did not remain silent, warning that the Colombian people would not accept being subjugated.
The Hague Under Attack:
In parallel with Netanyahu’s visit to America and his negotiations with Congress, Trump targeted the Hague. He signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) under the pretext of “harassing the U.S. and its allies.” These sanctions included freezing assets, banning ICC officials and their families from entering the U.S., and more. What was the crime of the court? “Investigating U.S. and Israeli war crimes,” Trump argued that the court had no jurisdiction over the U.S. or Israel because they are not members. This move came at the same time as the ICC issued a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest on charges of war crimes in Gaza.
Europe’s Response:
Alongside Trump, his advisor and partner Elon Musk has also interfered in other countries. Musk has recently angered Europeans, who accuse him of directly interfering in elections in the U.K., Germany, France, and Norway. Always seeking more significant influence, Musk has expressed support for a leadership change in the U.K.’s Conservative Party and has backed far-right factions in Germany.
Europe pushes back against Trump’s interference, as his ally Elon Musk faces accusations of meddling in European elections.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a speech, remarked that no one could have predicted: “Ten years ago that the ‘owner of one of the largest social media networks in the world’ would interfere in elections and support ‘regressive movements,’ including in Germany.”
What else should we expect from such a totalitarian and unpredictable President?
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
