The words and actions of President Trump during his tenure, and their impact on the world, are a focal point for many. Some of Trump’s seemingly astonishing statements, such as referring to the Canadian prime minister as a “governor-general,” proposing to “take back” the Panama Canal, and even wanting to buy Greenland, are said to have deeper strategic considerations. He believes that the United States must control the world’s most important transportation routes, and these demands are not without reason.
With global warming and the development of icebreaking technology, the Arctic route near Canada and Greenland is becoming increasingly important. The strategic position of the Panama Canal, as a crucial artery connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is self-evident. Some views suggest that Trump’s ultimate goal may be to “command the world” and collect “protection fees” by controlling these key transportation lines. In the face of these demands, Canada, Denmark, and Panama all find themselves in a difficult position. Some opinions hold that the key competition between the United States and China lies in the technological field, not traditional geopolitics. Finally, there is also a view that the United States should value its allies rather than intimidate them.