U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is making many controversial statements just before starting his term in office and this has generated controversy in the international arena. He has already said that he wants to take control of Greenland, take back control of the Panama Canal and rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America". In addition to diverse reactions, the statements of the president of the United States are beginning to generate concerns about a possible reconfiguration of U.S. foreign policy.

Trump has stated that Greenland is an "absolute necessity for national security and freedom in the world," even suggesting the possibility of using military force to ensure its control. Denmark and Greenlandic authorities have rejected this position, reaffirming their sovereignty and dismissing any negotiations on the matter.

The president-elect has also expressed his intention to take back control of the Panama Canal, criticizing tariffs imposed on U.S. ships and suggesting that the infrastructure could fall into "the wrong hands," referencing Chinese influence in the region.  Panamanian authorities have responded by emphasizing their sovereignty over the canal and rejecting any outside intervention.

To complete the menu of false starts, Trump has now proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," arguing that it is a "more appropriate" name.  This suggestion has been met with skepticism and criticism, especially from Mexico, where the historical denomination has been defended and North America has been ironically called "Mexican America".

The Trump Doctrine

Trump's actions and statements evoke the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, summarized in the phrase "America for the Americans," which sought to limit European intervention in the Americas and consolidate U.S. influence in the region.  However, the president-elect's recent proposals seem to go further, suggesting a policy of expansion and direct control over strategic territories, which could be interpreted as an evolution towards a doctrine of "The World for the Americans".

These expansionist positions could generate diplomatic tensions and conflicts with sovereign nations, in addition to questions about respect for international law and the self-determination of peoples. But another element of analysis must be included: Donald Trump is still in legal trouble and this Friday a New York judge is expected to rule on the controversial Stormy Daniels case, an actress who allegedly received money from the President to pay for her silence just before the first election won by Trump in 2016. Trump has always claimed that he never committed any wrongdoing.

It can be argued that the new President of the United States is thinking of a new international strategy, but it is not unreasonable to conclude that it is all about a strategy to distract the attention of American public opinion.