Since Trump’s return to the White House a little more than two weeks ago, his “America First” approach seems to have morphed into “America More,“ with the president fixated on acquiring new territory even after campaigning on pledges to keep the nation out of foreign entanglements and “forever wars.”
The casual proposal sent diplomatic shockwaves across the Middle East and around the globe, but was characteristic of how Trump has approached his second term – treating ties with close allies such as Canada and Mexico as largely transactional relationships and viewing the world as one large business opportunity. That view was underlined by his proposal on Monday to launch a U.S. sovereign wealth fund.
At the same time, he has threatened Canada – along with Mexico – with economic penalties if they don’t accede to Trump’s border-security demands.
At Tuesday’s press conference with Netanyahu, Trump spoke like the real estate developer he once was while acknowledging the hardships the Palestinian residents of Gaza have had to endure.
Trump’s son-in-law and former aide, Jared Kushner, last year described Gaza as “valuable” waterfront property.
But Trump may not be serious about a U.S. stake in Gaza, said Will Wechsler, senior director of Middle East programs at the Atlantic Council. He may be doing what he often does, taking extreme positions as a bargaining strategy, Wechsler said.
HARD TO SEE A ‘HAPPY ENDING’
“Wow,“ said Jon Alterman, a former State Department official who now heads the Middle East program at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies. Gazans were unlikely to voluntarily leave the region, he said.
Palestinian militants Hamas came to power in Gaza in 2007 after Israeli soldiers and settlers withdrew in 2005, but the enclave is still deemed Israeli-occupied territory by the United Nations. Israel and Egypt control access to Gaza.
Dozens of protesters gathered near the White House on Tuesday to protest Netanyahu’s visit, with the demonstrations continuing after Trump’s remarks on Gaza were relayed to the crowd. Netanyahu steadfastly opposes a Palestinian state.
As a presidential candidate, Trump largely spoke in isolationist terms about the need to end foreign wars and strengthen borders. He suggested Europe largely take on the cause of Ukraine in its war with Russia rather than the United States.
Expansionism was not part of his rhetoric and there may be some political risk for Trump and his Republican allies. According to Reuters/Ipsos polling, voters are not on board.
Just 21% agreed with the idea that the U.S. has the right to expand its territory in the Western Hemisphere and just 9% of respondents, including 15% of Republicans, said the U.S. should use military force to secure new territories.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Trump’s Gaza stunner builds on his expansionist aims )
Also on site :