Donald Trump’s imperial ambitions signal a dangerous shift

Annexation fantasies and expansionism reshape global diplomacy.

Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

By Erin Melody

In a striking turn, Donald Trump’s second Inaugural Address marked a rhetorical departure from his earlier nationalist stance. Known for his calls to seal borders with towering walls, Trump now champions a vision of expansion. His recent remarks, including the possibility of annexing Greenland and Canada or renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America," reflect a pivot toward a bolder form of patriotism.

Trump’s expansionist rhetoric taps into an old strain of American exceptionalism, where growth and territorial ambition are seen as pathways to national rejuvenation. While this pivot has electrified his base, it also revives historical debates about the doctrine of conquest, global diplomacy, and the delicate balance of power in an already volatile world.

Trump’s new rallying cry evokes the spirit of America’s territorial ambitions in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Founding Fathers, including James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, envisioned expansion as essential to the nation’s survival. Madison argued in The Federalist Papers that increasing the "extent of territory" would diffuse political extremism, while Jefferson justified the Louisiana Purchase as a way to safeguard the union against localized conflicts.

This expansionist ethos drove America’s westward march, culminating in the annexation of vast swaths of Indigenous and Mexican land. Even in the 20th century, territorial growth transformed into ideological and economic pursuits, with leaders championing open markets, scientific innovation, and the "perennial rebirth" that historian Frederick Jackson Turner associated with the American frontier.

Trump, always adept at reframing historical narratives, casts himself as the inheritor of this tradition. In his words, America must "pursue our Manifest Destiny into the stars," extending its influence to new frontiers, including Mars. Yet, this rhetoric, though rooted in history, feels profoundly out of step with contemporary geopolitical realities.

Trump’s musings about annexing Greenland are not as outlandish as they seem. The U.S. has long eyed the island for its strategic and mineral value. As early as 1867, Secretary of State William Seward considered purchasing Greenland and Iceland from Denmark. In 1946, the Truman administration offered $100 million for Greenland, only to be rebuffed by Copenhagen. Even Nelson Rockefeller, Gerald Ford’s vice president, proposed acquiring Greenland for its untapped resources.

The idea of annexing Canada or renaming international waters, however, veers into the realm of spectacle. Trump’s penchant for provocative language serves to rally his base while unsettling allies and adversaries alike. Social media is now awash with fan-made maps depicting an expanded United States stretching from the Arctic to Panama. These fantasies energize Trump’s supporters but alienate the broader international community.

Trump’s aggressive rhetoric is more than just political theater—it signals a return to outdated principles of dominance and conquest. For decades, the global order, however flawed, rested on the idea that cooperation, not aggression, should guide diplomacy. The post-World War II international framework, built on treaties, alliances, and multilateral institutions, sought to prevent the unchecked territorial ambitions that led to catastrophic conflicts.

Trump’s language undermines these principles. By framing geopolitics as a zero-sum game, where "the strong do what they will, and the weak suffer what they must," he legitimizes a worldview in which power, not principle, dictates policy.

This shift has real-world implications. The global stage is already fraught with conflict—from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to escalating tensions in the South China Sea. Trump’s provocations, such as suggesting punitive tariffs or military force to "rearrange the world’s borders," add fuel to these volatile dynamics.

The international landscape Trump is navigating differs significantly from the expansionist eras of the past. Economic inequality, climate crises, and political polarization have eroded the sense of limitless possibility that once defined American growth. Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, coupled with stalled economic mobility and environmental catastrophes, have left the U.S. grappling with a diminished sense of purpose.

Trump’s imperial gambit appears designed to break this deadlock by reviving a sense of national ambition. Wealthy supporters, particularly in the tech sector, view projects like annexing Greenland as symbolic solutions to America’s malaise. These fantasies, however, ignore the deeper structural challenges facing the country.

Trump’s annexation rhetoric risks escalating global tensions. By treating international relations as a game of dominance, he emboldens other nations to adopt similarly aggressive postures. The Biden administration, for instance, has maintained Trump’s hardline stance on China, contributing to the likelihood of conflict over Taiwan or the South China Sea.

In this climate of brinkmanship, Trump’s language could tip an already precarious balance. His willingness to provoke allies—such as Denmark over Greenland or Canada over its sovereignty—further destabilizes international relationships. The lessons of history suggest that such confrontational tactics often lead to more conflict, not less.

Trump’s vision of American greatness hinges on reviving the expansionist ideals of the past. But this approach is ill-suited to the challenges of the 21st century. The global order requires cooperation, mutual respect, and a commitment to addressing shared crises, from climate change to economic inequality.

Instead of seeking new frontiers to conquer, the U.S. should focus on strengthening its alliances, investing in sustainable growth, and promoting global stability. The challenges America faces—domestic and international—cannot be solved by returning to the doctrine of conquest.

Trump’s imperial ambitions may electrify his base, but they risk undoing decades of progress in global diplomacy. By embracing a vision of dominance and expansion, he undermines the principles of cooperation and mutualism that are essential for addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.

The world cannot afford a return to conquest-driven politics. Instead, it must strive for a future where nations work together to build a more just, equitable, and sustainable global order. The time for such leadership is now—and it requires moving beyond the outdated ambitions of the past.