According to the New York Times, Donald Trump's latest statements do not stop at the slogan "America First" but also have the nature of territorial expansion, reminiscent of the expansionist period in US history.
Strategic ambition in Greenland
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, with its strategic location in the Arctic and rare mineral resources, has long been a concern of the US. In 2019, Mr. Trump proposed to buy Greenland but was rejected. Now, he emphasizes that ownership and control of Greenland is a necessary condition for US national security.
This idea is not new. After World War II, President Harry Truman proposed buying Greenland to curb the influence of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
In the current context, the Arctic is becoming increasingly important in terms of trade and military as melting ice opens up new shipping routes. In addition, Greenland also owns rare earth reserves necessary for modern technology, a particularly important factor in competition with China.
However, Greenland leader Mute B. Egede flatly rejected the idea, asserting that Greenland is ours and should never be sold. The Danish government, which is responsible for Greenland's foreign policy, has also remained silent on Mr Trump's statement.
Panama Canal: The Next Hot Spots
At the same time, Mr. Trump also called for the US to re-control the Panama Canal, which was returned to the Panama government under the President Jimmy Carter-era Agreement. He criticized the fee Panama imposed on US ships as a robbery and warned that the treaty would be canceled if not adjusted.
Mr. Trump expressed concern that the Panama Canal could fall into the hands of China - the second largest user of the canal in the world. Although China does not directly control the canal, the operation of two nearby ports by a Hong Kong (China) company has raised US concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the region.
However, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has strongly affirmed that every square meter of the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will remain so.
My tren het is no longer isolationism
Mr Trump's recent statements show that his approach to the slogan "America First" does not stop at prioritizing domestic interests but also has the element of expanding and reshaping international relations.
This thinking is reminiscent of the time of President Theodore Roosevelt, who pushed for the US to control the Philippines and build the Panama Canal after the Spanish-American War.
Marc Jacobsen, an Arctic security expert in Denmark, said that although Mr. Trump's idea was strongly opposed, the people of Greenland could take advantage of this opportunity to increase investment from the US.
Similarly, Sherri Goodman, a former Pentagon official, stressed that the US has a great interest in preventing China from expanding its influence in the Arctic.
