The statements made by the elected American president Donald Trump regarding the possibility of regional expansion to include areas such as Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal have sparked widespread debate both locally and internationally. Analyses published by Foreign Policy magazine indicate that these statements bring back discussions about American dominance policies that emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries, raising concerns about the threat to national sovereignty rights and regional stability.

The writer Howard W. French noted in his article that Trump's statements reflect a tendency to impose American influence on foreign territories, with a clear disregard for the rights of independent peoples and nations. He explained that this approach evokes historical examples of American expansion, from the control of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines after the Spanish-American War in the late 19th century, to the economic dominance ambitions witnessed in the world after World War II.

Since announcing his victory in the presidential election, Trump has shown a tendency towards expansionist policies and economic visions reminiscent of previous eras, such as trade protectionism. Observers believe that reviving such policies could come at the expense of more pressing challenges, such as addressing the rapidly growing economic competition from China in the fields of technology and renewable energy.

Experts warn that such statements, even if they are merely political posturing, could have serious repercussions on the international stage, including legitimizing regional expansions by other countries, such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine or Chinese ambitions towards Taiwan.

Analysts emphasize that a shift towards expansionist policies will not restore the United States’ traditional status as a superpower, but may rather exacerbate global instability and complicate international relations at a time when Washington needs to focus on internal reforms and genuine economic competition instead of geographical expansion.