The controversial statements of former U.S. President Donald Trump continue to provoke angry international reactions, with renewed talk about expansionist plans that include the control of foreign territories. The latest was his proposal to impose American control on the Gaza Strip and turn it into a tourist resort, an idea that observers described as part of a series of proposed colonial projects during his presidency.

Gaza: The "Mediterranean Riviera" Project and Military Threat

Trump's comments about Gaza have reignited the debate over his vision for American control over lands, where he suggested the idea of “relocating Palestinians elsewhere” and then placing the strip under American control to transform it into a “Mediterranean Riviera” through massive economic projects.

According to American media reports, Trump did not rule out the use of military force to achieve this goal, which prompted widespread condemnation from countries and human rights organizations, which considered it a blatant violation of international law and Palestinian rights.

Greenland: An Incomplete Acquisition Attempt

The Gaza Strip was not the only expansionist project that Trump sought; he previously attempted to buy Greenland from Denmark during his first term, describing ownership of it as an “absolute necessity.”

Although Copenhagen firmly rejected the idea of selling the island, Trump did not back down from the notion, hinting at the possibility of resorting to military or economic coercion to achieve that. Experts believe that Trump's interest in Greenland is not limited to its strategic location but also encompasses its rich natural resources of rare minerals, which may become easier to exploit as ice melts due to climate change.

Canada: “American State Number 51”?

In a move that provoked anger from the northern neighbor, Trump repeatedly spoke last January about the possibility of annexing Canada to the United States and turning it into “American State Number 51.”

Although it is unclear whether his statements were merely a negotiation maneuver or a serious desire, they sparked widespread discontent in Canadian political circles. Federal and provincial officials from various political backgrounds condemned this idea, while Canadian crowds responded by boycotting travel to the United States and rejecting the American national anthem at sporting events.

Panama: An Attempt to Reassert Control Over the Canal

The Panama Canal did not escape Trump's expansionist plans, as he recently renewed his commitment to **“reclaim” the canal**, claiming that the presence of China there poses a strategic threat to the United States.

Trump stated: “China operates the Panama Canal, which was not given to China, but was foolishly given to Panama. However, they violated the agreement, and we will reclaim it, or something very powerful will happen.”

In response to these statements, Panama's President Raúl Molino affirmed that his country's sovereignty over the canal is not negotiable, but he indicated his willingness to work with Washington on new investments, while his country decided not to renew the 2017 agreement linking it to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.

A Expansionist Project Facing Global Rejection

Trump's statements regarding Gaza, the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada raise questions about his expansionist vision for the United States, which conflicts with international principles related to national sovereignty.

While these proposals face sharp rejection from the governments of the countries concerned, they reveal an unconventional strategy aimed at enhancing American influence globally, even at the expense of the sovereignty of other nations.

As the next U.S. elections approach, concerns grow that Trump may revive these expansionist ambitions, potentially leading to new diplomatic crises and an escalation of international tensions.