His press conference at Mar-a-Lago appeared to be a stream-of-consciousness melee of ideas, from ridiculing low pressure showers that “drip, drip, drip” to presenting aggressive, expansionist plans for America straight out of a “how-to-rule” manual for strongmen and dictators.
By now, though, Trump has proved that he deserves to be taken seriously and literally. In fact, he has a cunning plan that could work to America’s advantage. Trump thinks the US should be as aggressive at promoting its interests as the other great powers he respects (notably Russia and China). It’s the essence of America First – not an isolationist foreign policy, but a muscle-bound one that relies on a show of strength.
As a dual US/UK citizen, I can see the attraction. Donald Trump Jr, who dropped in on Greenland for a few brief daylight hours, said he met dozens of islanders who loved the idea. Well, he would, wouldn’t he. But he may be right about people’s disaffection with Denmark, the colonial power which acquired Greenland formally by treaty in 1814.
Who is to say they wouldn’t vote to merge with the US? Every year nearly 10 million people worldwide apply for the US Green Card Lottery, lured by the prospect of US citizenship.
As for Panama, Trump is very unlikely to invade. Instead, he is practising the art of the deal. His threats are largely aimed at reducing the high shipping rates for US and other vessels, which were raised after a severe drought affecting the canal in 2023. Trump may also succeed in bullying Panama into expelling the Hong Kong based company, CK Hutchinson Holdings, which manages the canal’s two entrances, and installing a US company in its place.
If I was still in No 11, I'd be worried about Trump's plans
Read MoreFinally, what about Canada? We can safely say that it is not going to become America’s 51st state. Trump is undoubtedly trolling a country he regards as far too liberal and similar in political character to Europe. Frankly, though, he has already succeeded in asserting America’s dominance over its neighbour by drumming Justin Trudeau out of office.
There are, however, wider geopolitical and strategic concerns about Trump’s proposals. Clearly, annexing Greenland and the Panama Canal sends a disturbing message to an expansionist Russia and China, whose impact should not be underestimated. Trump described Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as “genius” and “savvy” in 2022 and China has been ramping up its military threats against Taiwan.
Sarah Baxter is director of the Marie Colvin Centre
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