Donald Trump has long been driven by an obsession to make his mark on the world, and as he prepares for his second term, his fixation on expanding America’s footprint is becoming increasingly clear. His musings about coercing Canada into joining the US, acquiring Greenland, and seizing the Panama Canal have set world leaders on edge and forced congressional Republicans to downplay his intentions.
But this is not a new phenomenon. Trump’s drive to make whatever he controls bigger has been evident throughout his career, from his early days as a businessman to his presidency. He has a history of disregarding norms of international sovereignty and diplomacy, as seen in his suggestion that the US should “take the oil” controlled by the Islamic State.
Trump’s fascination with Greenland dates back to his first term, when a special team evaluated the prospects of leasing the Arctic territory. However, Greenlanders have expressed little interest in handing over their territory to Americans, and it remains to be seen how far Trump will push this agenda.
As he prepares for his second term, Trump is likely to face resistance to his expansionist plans, much like he did during his casino days. But one thing is certain – he will continue to push the boundaries of what is acceptable, using his trademark bluster and bravado to try and get away with it.
The contrast between Trump’s bombastic rhetoric and the concerns of ordinary Americans is striking. While some politicians have made promises to cut back on overseas travel, Trump’s busy international schedule has hardly changed since he took office. His willingness to disregard norms and conventions will likely continue to be a contentious issue in his second term.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/us/politics/trump-greenland-canada-history.html