But are these expansionist ambitions part of a real strategy or just a media spectacle? A few days after the announcement of Justin Trudeau’s resignation, Donald Trump did not hesitate to strike hard. On his Truth Social network, he proposed that Canada become the 51st state of the United States. “Together, what a great nation we would form,” he wrote, stringing together exclamation points. This is not the first time that he has made fun of his northern neighbor by treating it like an American protectorate.
Trump didn’t stop there. Greenland, which he describes as “a strategic necessity”, is once again at the heart of his ambitions. As for the Panama Canal, he threatens to regain control and denounces the “ridiculous duties” imposed on the United States for the passage of ships. Comments which quickly sparked outraged reactions in Copenhagen, Ottawa and Panama City.
Provocations or geopolitical strategy?
Behind the apparent madness of Trump’s statements, a logic emerges. Greenland, rich in hydrocarbons and a nerve center for Russian and Chinese ambitions in the Arctic, is an essential card in American strategy. The Panama Canal, vital for global trade, is an obvious lever of pressure in the economic rivalry with Beijing.
But the Trumpian style remains true to itself: provoke in order to negotiate.
As American political scientist Richard Johnson explains, “These extravagant claims primarily serve to capture media attention, but they often have a strategic subtext.” For Trump, this subtext seems to be a clear message: he wants to restore a conquering and uncompromising America.
The risky bet of assumed unilateralism
-Trump’s statements are not limited to calls for negotiation. During his press conference at Mar-a-Lago, he did not rule out the use of military or economic force to achieve his objectives. This unilateral posture, aligned with its “America First” credo, however, has obvious limits.
The leaders of the targeted countries were quick to respond. Justin Trudeau, who had just resigned, declared: “Never, ever, will Canada be part of the United States.” In Panama, the authorities firmly reiterated that the sovereignty of the canal was “inviolable”.
These categorical rejections highlight a possible consequence of this approach: a growing isolation of the United States on the international scene. For his supporters, Donald Trump embodies an America that is bold and ready to challenge international norms. Critics say the claims are a smokescreen designed to distract from the country’s domestic problems.
But beyond the controversies, a question remains: how far is Trump ready to go? With only one mandate left, he could be tempted to push his ambitions further. The idea of an American empire may be just a fantasy, but it speaks to the very essence of the Trump style: an ability to divide, captivate, and monopolize global attention, whatever the cost. .
By KA
