Trump's view on Greenland and Panama reflect 19th century imperialism

AP NEW YORK

Since his re-election, President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a return to 19th-century imperialist rhetoric, proposing bold territorial expansions. Trump has floated ideas of seizing the Panama Canal and Greenland, possibly by force, and suggested economic pressure on Canada to integrate as the 51st US state.

“Canada and the United States, that would really be something,” Trump remarked, citing national security benefits and dismissing the world’s longest border as an "artificially drawn line."

Such comments challenge established norms on territorial sovereignty, raising alarm among analysts. Trump’s rhetoric, coinciding with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and China’s threats to Taiwan, could embolden adversaries.

“If I’m Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping, this is music to my ears,” said John Bolton, Trump’s former national security advisor and critic. Trump’s rhetoric reflects a colonial-era worldview, unsettling allies already wary of his global resurgence. Gerald Butts, former advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, observed, “There are no restraints. This is maximum Trump.”

Trump’s assertive language resonates with his campaign's focus on younger male voters. Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally, recently underscored the strategic importance of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory hosting the U.S. Pituffik Space Base. Kirk described the push for Greenland as symbolic of "masculine American energy" and a revival of “Manifest Destiny.”

Critics argue that such posturing risks destabilizing alliances, but Trump aides defend it as part of his negotiation style. They highlight the economic and strategic significance of these regions.

Nearly half of US shipping containers transit the Panama Canal, where Hong Kong-based firms control key ports. Greenland, with its Arctic resources and strategic position, has attracted investment from rivals like China and Russia.

Meanwhile, Canada’s limited defence spending contrasts sharply with US commitments, adding weight to Trump’s assertions. As Trump’s rhetoric reignites debates over imperialism, the global community braces for potential shifts in  US foreign policy.