When Trump Won, the World Prepared for a New Era of American Imperialism
When Donald J. Trump won a return to the White House, many countries thought they knew what to expect and how to prepare for what was coming. Diplomats in world capitals said they would zero in on what his administration does, rather than what Mr. Trump says. Bigger nations developed plans to soften or counter his threat of punitive tariffs. Smaller countries hoped they could simply hide from four more years of gale-force America First.
The World is Getting Harder to Keep Calm and Carry On
At Tuesday’s news conference at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump declined to rule out the use of force in a potential land grab for Greenland and the Panama Canal. He vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America." He also said he could use "economic force" to turn Canada into the 51st state as a matter of American national security.
For those eager to parse substance from bluster, it looked like another performance of scattershot bravado: Trump II, the sequel, more unrestrained. Even before taking office, Mr. Trump, with his surprising wish list, has stirred up "here we go again" commentary from across the globe.
The Parallels with 19th Century American Imperialism
Beyond the chatter, however, are serious stakes. As the world prepares for Trump’s return, the parallels between his preoccupations and the distant age of American imperialism in the late 19th century are becoming more relevant.
Mr. Trump has already championed the era for its protectionism, claiming that the United States in the 1890s "was probably the wealthiest it ever was because it was a system of tariffs." Now, he seems to be adding the focus from the 19th and early 20th centuries on territorial control.
A Fear of Shaky Geopolitics
What both epochs share is a fear of shaky geopolitics, and the threat of being locked out of territory with great economic and military importance. As Daniel Immerwahr, an American historian at Northwestern University, put it: "We are seeing a reversion to a more grabby world."
A New Era of Competition and Territorial Control
For Mr. Trump, China looms – ready, in his view, to take territory far from its own borders. He has falsely accused Beijing of controlling the American-built Panama Canal. There is also the specter, more grounded in reality, of China and its ally Russia moving to secure control over Arctic Sea routes and precious minerals.
At the same time, competition is increasing all around, as some nations (India, Saudi Arabia) rise and others (Venezuela, Syria) spiral and struggle, creating openings for outside influence.
The United States’ Historical Expansionism
In the 1880s and ’90s, there was also a scramble for control and no single dominant nation. As countries became more powerful, they were expected to physically grow, and rivalries were redrawing maps and causing conflicts from Asia to the Caribbean.
The United States mirrored Europe’s colonial designs when it annexed Guam and Puerto Rico in 1898. But in larger countries, like the Philippines, the U.S. eventually chose indirect control by negotiating deals to advance preferential treatment for American businesses and its military interests.
A Pattern of U.S. Exertion of Control
Some believe that Mr. Trump’s fixation on Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada is a one-man revival of the debate over expansionist pursuits.
"This is part of a pattern of the U.S. exerting control, or trying to, over areas of the globe perceived to be American interests, without having to summon up the dreaded words ’empire,’ ‘colonies’ or ‘imperialism,’ while still extracting material benefits," said Ian Tyrrell, a historian of American empire at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.
The Consequences of Trump’s Threats
Mr. Trump’s threats of territorial takeover may be simply a transactional starting point or some kind of personal wish. The United States already has a deal with Denmark that allows for base operations in Greenland.
His suggestion of Americanization there and elsewhere amounts to what many foreign diplomats and scholars see as an escalation more than a break with the past. For years, the United States has been trying to curtail Chinese ambitions with a familiar playbook.
Conclusion
As the world prepares for Trump’s return, the parallels between his preoccupations and the distant age of American imperialism in the late 19th century are becoming more relevant. The world is getting harder to keep calm and carry on, and the stakes are high. The United States’ historical expansionism and the threat of shaky geopolitics are at the forefront of the debate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the Trump administration’s threats of territorial takeover?
A: The Trump administration’s threats of territorial takeover are a throwback to the era of American imperialism in the late 19th century, and may be a sign of a return to a more aggressive and expansionist approach to global affairs.
Q: What are the implications of Trump’s comments on Greenland and the Panama Canal?
A: Trump’s comments on Greenland and the Panama Canal are seen as a sign of a more aggressive and expansionist approach to global affairs, and may lead to increased tensions with other nations.
Q: What is the historical context for Trump’s comments on the United States’ annexation of Guam and Puerto Rico?
A: The United States’ annexation of Guam and Puerto Rico in the late 19th century was a key part of its expansionist policies, and is seen as a precursor to its later imperialist policies in the 20th century.