Analyzing Donald Trump’s Expansionist Rhetoric
- IPG
- Feb 18
- 8 min read
Muharem Rusiti
February 2025
As Donald Trump begins his second term as President of the United States, his bold declarations about acquiring Greenland and regaining control of the Panama Canal, among other similar statements, have sparked global debate. Framing these territorial aspirations as national and economic security matters,[1] President Trump has ignited discussions about U.S. expansionism and America’s evolving role in an increasingly competitive geopolitical landscape, drawing mixed reactions from allies and adversaries alike.
Greenland: A Geopolitically Strategic Territory
Greenland has long been a key player in Arctic geopolitics. Rich in rare earth minerals critical to technologies like electric vehicles,[2] the island is a resource-rich frontier that has drawn the attention of major powers. Moreover, as Arctic ice melts and new shipping lanes open, Greenland’s geographical location further enhances its strategic and economic significance.[3]
After his early declarations as President-elect, on his first day in office, Trump reiterated his idea of annexing the North Atlantic island, highlighting that it is a necessary move for international security, alluding to potential risks stemming from Russian and Chinese activities in the region.[4]
Analyzing Trump’s assertions, his focus on Arctic dominance appears to reflect previous broader Western concerns, particularly over Beijing’s growing footprint in the area, including joint ventures in Greenland’s mining sector and other strategic investments across the Arctic.[5]
In response to Trump’s statements, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen affirmed that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders”,[6] underscoring the island’s autonomy within the framework of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Panama Canal: Reassessing American Influence
Built by the United States in the early 20th century and controlled by America until 1999, the Panama Canal now operates under Panamanian sovereignty through the Panama Canal Authority. President Jimmy Carter was instrumental in this transfer of control, negotiating the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which established a gradual process for handing the waterway over to Panama by the end of the century.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the transfer, calling it a “mistake”[7] and alleging unfair toll policies that disadvantage American shipping.[8] Although Chinese companies operate ports at the channel's entrances, officials from Panama City have firmly denied any Chinese influence over its operations, while Beijing denied having any control over the seaway, with its Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating that they would “always respect Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal and recognize the Canal as a permanently neutral international waterway.”[9]
The Canal’s strategic importance to U.S. interests is clear: roughly 40% of container traffic passes through it,[10] and its strategic military value makes it central to Trump’s national security argument.[11]
Trump emphasized the Panama Canal issue also in his January 20, 2025 inaugural address, declaring: “President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent – he was a natural businessman – and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States – I mean, think of this – spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”[12]
To highlight the importance of the waterway, President Trump’s new Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, scheduled his first trip abroad to Panama, where he secured commitments from local authorities to review the operations of the Canal and discussed strategies to counter China’s growing influence around the passage.[13] Rubio is reported to have emphasized that the United States would take necessary measures to protect its rights under the treaty if Panama did not curb Chinese activities.[14] Following Rubio’s visit, Panama announced its withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative, marking a significant shift towards closer ties with the United States.[15][16] Additionally, it has also been rumored that Panama is considering canceling its contract with the Hong Kong-based firm Hutchison Ports, which operates ports near the Canal.[17] This move is seen as a further concession to defuse U.S. concerns about China’s influence around the key waterway.
Incorporating Canada as the 51st State
Trump has also repeatedly mentioned Canada in his expansionist rhetoric, referring to its Prime Minister as “Governor Trudeau”[18][19] and labeling Canada’s border with the U.S. as an “artificially drawn line”,[20] suggesting it should join America as the 51st state. While framed as economic coercion rather than military intent, these statements have drawn strong rebukes from Canadian leaders.
Furthermore, Trump recently announced a 25% tariff on Canadian goods due to concerns over alleged illegal activities along the shared border.[21] However, after Canada agreed to enhance border security measures, including deploying additional personnel and technology, Trump decided to pause the tariffs for 30 days.[22]
Mexico and the Renaming of the Gulf
Among President Trump’s earliest executive orders was the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America.”[23] He described the change as a matter of “common sense” and “renewing the pillars of American civilization”.[24] The renaming of the Gulf, a region critical to the U.S. energy industry and home to more than half of its petroleum refining capacity,[25] represents a symbolic yet meaningful move toward the realization of Trump’s vision and desire to boldly assert U.S. authority and preeminence on the international stage, even figuratively as in this case.
Additionally, Trump announced plans to impose heavy tariffs on Mexican goods, citing concerns over illegal drugs and undocumented migrants entering the U.S. from its southern neighboring country.[26] Trump’s statements prompted Mexico to rapidly announce the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops to better monitor their shared border, with the American President consequently announcing the temporary suspension of these tariffs for 30 days.[27]
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s recent announcements about potential extensions of American control over foreign territories, such as Greenland and the Panama Canal, among others, seem to reflect his ‘America First’ policy and his aspiration to globally enhance and assert U.S. authority, influence, and interests, even in unconventional, diplomatically disruptive, symbolic, or unilateral ways if necessary. Similarly, his rhetoric appears to partially mirror elements of the Monroe Doctrine, signaling a resurgence of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere[28] – even representatively, as in the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
Furthermore, Trump’s assertive communication style and bold declarations – consistent with his first presidential term – and his negotiation tactics and audacious way of handling international affairs seem to reflect his earlier background as a seasoned businessman.
Equally, Trump’s expansionist and diplomatically unorthodox announcements appear to rely on what experts would call as “calculated unpredictability”,[29][30] where forceful or challenging statements are used to create leverage in negotiations or serve as deterrents. The effectiveness of this strategy was recently observed in the cases of Mexico, Canada, and particularly Panama, which took swiftly concrete steps to align with U.S. demands and interests.
While this approach can yield advantageous outcomes, it also risks straining America’s relations with international partners and allies, particularly if not supplemented by traditional, behind-the-scenes diplomatic efforts to mitigate, thoroughly assess, and resolve disagreements and tensions.
Ultimately, whether these moves represent genuine expansionist ambitions or high-stakes bargaining tactics remains to be seen. However, their impact on the geopolitical landscape, global trade, and international relations seems to be already profound. The coming years will determine whether Trump’s policies will bolster America’s global standing and interests or simply provoke controversies and tensions with its allies and competitors alike.
[1] Aksoy, I., Ott, H. and Picchi, A., 2025. Why Would Trump Want Greenland and the Panama Canal? Here’s What’s Behind U.S. Interest. CBS News. January 8.
[2] Friedman, L. and Sanger, D.E., 2024. Trump’s Wish to Control Greenland and Panama Canal: Not a Joke This Time. New York Times. December 23.
[3] Aksoy, I., Ott, H. and Picchi, A., 2025. Why Would Trump Want Greenland and the Panama Canal? Here’s What’s Behind U.S. Interest. CBS News. January 8.
[4] Starcevic, S., 2025. Trump: US Needs Greenland to Combat Russia and China. Politico Europe. January 21.
[5] Friedman, L. and Sanger, D.E., 2024. Trump’s Wish to Control Greenland and Panama Canal: Not a Joke This Time. New York Times. December 23.
[6] Ax, J. and Holland, S., 2025. Trump Will Not Rule Out Force to Take Panama Canal, Greenland. Reuters, January 8.
[7] Jordan, D., 2025. Panama rejects Trump vow to ‘take back’ Panama Canal. BBC. January 20.
[8] Sanger, D.E., 2025. Trump Floats Using Force to Take Greenland and the Panama Canal. New York Times. January 7.
[9] Aksoy, I., Ott, H. and Picchi, A., 2025. Why Would Trump Want Greenland and the Panama Canal? Here’s What’s Behind U.S. Interest. CBS News. January 8.
[10] Aksoy, I., Ott, H. and Picchi, A., 2025. Why Would Trump Want Greenland and the Panama Canal? Here’s What’s Behind U.S. Interest. CBS News. January 8.
[11] Winter, B., 2025. What Trump Really Wants in Panama. Americas Quarterly. January 30.
[12] The White House Official Website, 2025. The Inaugural Address. January 20.
[13] Arroyo, L., 2025. Marco Rubio takes a victory lap on his first tour of Latin America. El Pais. February 7.
[14] Lewis, S. and Moren, E., 2025. Rubio Tells Panama to End China’s Influence of Canal or Face US Action. US News. February 2.
[15] RFE/RL, 2025. Panama Plans to Leave China’s Belt and Road After Rubio’s Canal Visit. February 3.
[16] Guerrero De León, C., 2025. Panama Considers Withdrawing from Port Deal with Hong Kong Firm After Trump’s Canal Offensive. The Latin Times. February 4.
[17] Martin, E., 2025. Panama Considers Canceling Port Deal With Hong Kong Billionaire’s Firm. Bloomberg. February 5.
[18] Yousif, N., 2025. Trudeau says Trump threat to annex Canada 'is a real thing'. BBC. February 8.
[19] Ewall-Wice, S. and Raasch, J. M., 2025. Trump belittles 'Governor' Trudeau saying Canadians need U.S. 'protection'. The Daily Mail. February 13.
[20] Murphy, J., 2025. Trudeau says ‘not a snowball’s chance in hell’ Canada will join US. BBC. January 7.
[21] Crawley, M., 2024. What’s really behind Donald Trump’s tariff threats and ‘51st state’ posts about Canada. CBC News. December 31.
[22] Boynton, S., 2025. Trump tariffs on Canada ‘paused’ for 30 days after border commitments. Global News. February 3.
[23] The White House Official Website, 2025. Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness. January 20.
[24] Santucci, J. and Walsh, K., 2025. Trump Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America Among 1st Executive Orders. ABC News. January 21.
[25] Somasekhar, A., 2024. US Gulf Coast heavy crude oil prices firm as supplies tighten. Reuters. April 9.
[26] Barrow, B., 2025. Trump is leveraging tariffs. Is he ready for potential fallout? Are consumers? Here’s what to know. AP News, February 4.
https://apnews.com/article/trumps-tariffs-canada-mexico-china-taxes-910cf9a18fce654597a30dbaaa8d1576
[27] Boak, J., Gillies, R. and Sánchez, F., 2025. Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico after they pledge to boost border enforcement. AP News. February 4.
[28] Patrick, S., 2025. Trump’s Greenland and Panama Canal Threats Are a Throwback to an Old, Misguided Foreign Policy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. January 7.
[29] Guthrie, J., 2025. Everyday lessons from Trump’s dealmaking style. Financial Times. February 12.
[30] Ward, M., 2024. ‘Crazy worked just fine the first time’: Why some Republicans see Trump’s imperialist musings as an act of negotiation. Politico. December 26.
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