The Trump Administration
The Trump II administration is disrupting international and commercial balances with its tariff policies and imperialist statements, first targeting Panama and Mexico. Furthermore Trump aims for Greenland and Canada, speaking of annexation for both. Recently, there has been a formal step back only regarding Canada, as Trump referred to the new Prime Minister Carney not as a governor but as a premier.
In particular, as early as the Trump I administration, Greenland had caught the president’s attention. This is due to its mining and commercial potential. However, it is only now that Trump aims for greenland. Openly threatening a conquest—potentially by force—of the world’s largest island. All in blatant and complete disregard of its sovereignty and its ties to Denmark, and the European Union.
Recent develpoments
Recently we have witnessed unofficial U.S. visits to the island. Including one by Vice President Vance himself, in an evident display of symbolic power and dominance. Following the March 11 elections, the Nuuk government has solidified into a broad coalition representing 75% of the population. Together with Denmark and the EU, they are openly challenging the intentions and statements of the Trump administration, asserting their independence.
We are thus in an initial phase of positional adjustment where attempting to make predictions is undoubtedly counterproductive given the extremely high uncertainty. What is worth highlighting, however, is a shift in the dynamics of international relations. We are witnessing the abandonment of a liberal approach in favor of a realist one by the world’s most powerful democratic nation.
Foreign Doubts
Some already see the outlines of an “International of Authoritarianism” emerging on the horizon. Raising serious doubts about the stability of global security. If even the country that has, until now, served as the world’s policeman and de facto arbiter of interstate relations adopts an imperialist policy, what would prevent other states from starting wars—or even just threatening them—to expand their influence?. This issue is particularly pressing for Taiwan. Especially considering that, just this month, the Chinese government designated it as the absolute priority of its foreign policy.
Sources:
Da Trump fino Xi Jinping: chi c’è nell’internazionale dell’autoritarismo – 24+
A colpi di dazi Trump smantella l’ordine economico internazionale – 24+
Greenland: JD Vance takes ominous message to Danish territory
Trump-Greenland row: Politicians unite against Trump’s ‘unacceptable behaviour’