Trump eyes global empire: What lies ahead for the next 4 years?

Review

Donald Trump has officially begun his second term as the President of the United States. In a ceremony marked by the presence of oligarchs and tech giants, Trump took the oath of office before the American public. His speech touched briefly on his plans for the next four years, reaffirming many of the promises he made while campaigning and during his tenure as the elected president since November 6. According to Trump, the United States is about to embark on its most transformative four years in history. This period of transformation, Trump suggested, will be defined by the expansion of U.S. power. Among his bold goals are the return of the Panama Canal to U.S. jurisdiction, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "America," and ensuring peace worldwide. Trump also emphasized the creation of the most powerful military—although the U.S. already boasts one of the world’s most formidable forces—and the implementation of strict policies against non-traditional orientations, aiming to end what he describes as "inhuman values."  Another central aspect of his agenda includes a total crackdown on illegal immigration and mass deportations, promising the most unprecedented actions in U.S. history. As Trump enters this new phase of leadership, his cabinet presents him with the power to significantly shape the next 48 months, potentially altering the global political landscape. Below, we explore his plans, the potential impact on the international order, and the expectations for the years ahead.  

Will Trump continue to make bold, controversial decisions?  

During his first term, Trump became notorious for taking controversial steps that sent shockwaves around the world. In 2019, he announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, a global accord aimed at addressing climate change, despite the growing environmental crises that continue to plague the planet. Perhaps one of his most shocking moves was in the Middle East. In January of 2020, Trump authorized the assassination of General Qassem Suleimani, the powerful commander of Iran’s Quds Force, whose influence extended across Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. The killing was a significant blow to Iran’s regional power. Later that year, another high-profile target, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a key figure in Iran’s nuclear program, was also assassinated under Trump’s orders. These actions, among others, indicate that the next four years of Trump’s presidency could see a continued focus on bold, often destabilizing decisions in global politics, particularly in regions like the Middle East. As the world watches closely, it remains to be seen how these policies will reshape international relations and provoke further conflict or cooperation on the global stage.  

Yesterday’s inaugural speech left little room for speculation or analysis. After taking the oath of office, President Donald Trump outlined his vision for the next four years with clear, assertive rhetoric. He spoke about withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement and significantly boosting the country’s wealth by increasing natural resource extraction. 

“We will lower prices, replenish our strategic reserves, and export American energy to the world. We will be a rich nation again, and that liquid gold beneath our feet will help us achieve it. We will end the Green New Deal, repeal the electric vehicle mandate, save the auto industry, and fulfill our sacred oath to our great American motorists,” Trump declared. 

As if these plans weren’t enough to capture global attention, Trump also reiterated his serious claim to the Panama Canal. His words echoed those of a businessman turned president, determined to reclaim control over what he sees as a historical mistake.  

“The United States spent more money than ever building the Panama Canal and lost 38,000 lives. This foolish gift, which should never have been made, has cost us dearly, and Panama has violated its promise to us. The purpose and spirit of our agreement have been completely disregarded,” Trump said.  

Trump's dry assertions, such as the potential acquisition of the Panama Canal and the willingness to use military force if necessary, are gaining momentum. Should these actions come to pass, experts warn that Latin American countries are likely to react strongly, sparking significant tensions between the Trump-led U.S. "oligarchy government" and South American nations. If this scenario unfolds, it could trigger a series of intense geopolitical confrontations surrounding Panama, further complicating U.S.-Latin American relations in the years ahead.  

Will the U.S. expand again?

Donald Trump's statement at his inauguration, "The United States will expand even more," has drawn considerable attention. It is clear that these words were not uttered casually but reflect the territorial ambitions he has voiced over the past two months regarding his neighboring countries, the world’s largest island, and one of the globe’s most crucial waterways. Specifically, Trump has made controversial claims about Canada and Mexico potentially becoming U.S. states, as well as the possibility of forcibly annexing Greenland and the Panama Canal Territory. As for the issue of U.S. territorial expansion into Canada and Mexico, it seems largely driven by public relations tactics designed to keep Trump in the spotlight. This is particularly evident when considering the economic and political weight of these two neighboring countries. Canada is the tenth-largest economy in the world, while Mexico ranks twelfth. Canada is also a member of the Group of Seven (G7) most powerful nations, and Mexico has strengthened its position within the G20. In this context, questioning the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these countries appears not only impractical but imprudent. However, the real issue fueling Trump’s statements about his neighbors is illegal immigration, one of the most contentious problems in the United States. According to data, more than 50% of illegal immigrants in the U.S. today are of Mexican origin. Additionally, a significant number of immigrants from Asia pass through Mexico on their way to the U.S., contributing to the overall problem, which has escalated significantly since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. It is estimated that around 8 million illegal immigrants have entered the U.S. via Mexico during this period. Though not on the same scale, there is also illegal immigration through the Canadian border, with an estimated 65,000 to 75,000 Canadians living in the U.S. illegally. Upon his election, Trump challenged both Canadian and Mexican authorities, threatening to take action if the issue was not addressed. As a punitive measure, Trump has suggested raising tariffs, a tactic he often resorts to when dealing with international disputes.

While Trump’s territorial claims regarding Canada and Mexico might seem more grounded in political rhetoric, his ambitions concerning Greenland and the Panama Canal are becoming increasingly serious. As discussed earlier, these assertions are not mere fantasies or idle talk. Recent actions indicate that Trump is genuinely pursuing these claims, and if his "Greenland dream" were just wishful thinking, it would not have escalated to the point where Germany, France, and Denmark have issued warnings, and Denmark has even engaged in discussions with the U.S. on the matter. Reports suggest that Denmark has agreed to increase U.S. military presence in Greenland following Trump’s threats of annexation. According to Fox News, members of the U.S. House of Representatives even prepared legislation aimed at creating legal opportunities for the acquisition of Greenland. The bill, titled the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," would allow the U.S. to enter negotiations with Denmark over Greenland’s future.  Prior to this, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Premier Mute Egede made firm statements opposing these claims. Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland does not belong to the United States, while Egede went further, asserting that the island should not belong to either the U.S. or Denmark. A referendum on Greenland’s secession from Denmark is expected in the near future, adding further complexity to the issue. Despite these statements, it appears there is little political will to oppose Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland. The international community, particularly European countries, has yet to take strong action against Washington's stance. No significant political force has taken a firm stand against the U.S., other than weak warnings from Germany and France. With Greenland’s population of just 56,000, most of whom are Eskimos, the prospect of opposing the world’s largest economy and most powerful military seems unlikely. Given this, the potential for significant geopolitical shifts, including drastic changes to the global map, cannot be dismissed.  

Trump’s official inauguration has brought greater attention to his territorial ambitions, particularly regarding Panama and Greenland. Notably, the Panama Canal was a focal point of his speech, where he addressed this issue directly and reiterated his claim to the critical waterway.  

"And most importantly, China controls the Panama Canal. We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and now we're taking it back," Trump asserted.  

He further emphasized, "Most importantly, I want to tell Americans today that it is time for us to act once again with the courage, strength, and vitality of history's greatest civilization."  

It is now clear that the Panama Canal, a vital strategic waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and generating $5 billion annually, will become a central foreign policy issue for the 47th president of the United States.  

Originally constructed by the United States between 1904 and 1914, the canal was gradually transferred to Panama in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter’s leadership. Since 1999, the canal has been under Panamanian control. However, with Trump’s recent remarks, the future of this once-U.S. protectorate is now under renewed scrutiny. His administration's increasing focus on the canal suggests that the U.S. may pursue efforts to reclaim control over it, a move that could reshape international relations in the coming years.

Unprecedented deportation plan

In his inauguration speech, Trump, now officially the 47th President of the United States, also addressed the long-standing issue of illegal immigration. His primary concern is the rise in crime across the U.S., which he attributes largely to undocumented immigrants. Even before the 2016 presidential election, Trump promised to create a "deportation force" aimed at removing illegal immigrants from the country. This time, he is discussing the expulsion of an estimated 13 million undocumented people.

"All illegal entries will be stopped immediately, and we will begin the process of returning millions of criminal aliens to their places of origin. We will restore our policy on Mexico. I will complete the practice of catch and release. I will send an army to the southern border and repel the destructive invasion of our country," Trump declared.

As of 2022, the number of people living in the U.S. without permanent legal status was estimated at 11 million, a number believed to have increased to 13 million. Deporting this large population could cost around $315 billion, based on estimates of the one-time cost of deportation. This means the minimum cost per deportee is approximately $25,000, though this is only the base figure. The total could easily surpass $315 billion, as additional costs would include arrests, establishing temporary detention centers, and creating specialized immigration courts.

Executing such a massive deportation effort would require extensive arrests. To accommodate this, additional detention facilities would be necessary. According to 2024 statistics, the U.S. currently holds 1.9 million people in prison. If 1 million illegal immigrants are deported, the federal budget would be heavily burdened by the creation of numerous new detention centers. Additionally, more than 1,000 extra courtrooms would likely be required to handle the surge in immigration cases. Consequently, the overall cost of the deportation operation could approach $1 trillion. This monumental deportation policy comes with significant consequences. Removing millions of immigrants from the U.S. would disrupt both the labor and consumer markets. After all, we are talking about around 13 million people—an immense portion of the workforce that plays a crucial role in the country's economy.
 

 

 


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