Why Trump’s ‘bullying tactics’ are doomed to fail on the global stage

President-elect Donald Trump is less than ten days away from assuming the Oval Office as the 47th president of the United States for a second term. However, his recent statements about acquiring Greenland, reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, and declaring Canada the 51st state of the United States have raised eyebrows domestically and opened the floodgates of criticism from NATO allies in Europe.

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau strongly rejected the idea of Canada becoming the 51st state, tweeting, “There isn’t a snowball’s chance in hell that Canada would become a part of the United States.”

During the same press conference, Trump also suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "American Gulf." Dr Muhammad Taqi, a columnist specializing in U.S. foreign policy, commented on the matter in an interview with Nukta. He highlighted the response of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who countered Trump’s suggestion with a proposal to rename the United States as “América Mexicana.” Sheinbaum’s statement referenced a founding document from 1814 that referred to the continent with this name, according to media reports.

Trump, who has criticized U.S. military involvement abroad, is now advocating for territorial expansion—by force if necessary—under what he calls his "annexation agenda." Among his proposals is reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, a key maritime trade route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans that was largely built under U.S. supervision. Trump has accused canal authorities of discriminating against U.S. ships and voiced concerns over China’s growing influence on its ports.

Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha responded firmly, stating, “The only hands operating the canal are Panamanian, and that is how it is going to stay.” The canal, completed in 1914 during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, remained under U.S. control until the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977, transferred full authority to Panama in 1999.

Trump’s comments have sparked debate over whether any part of his plan is feasible. Dr. Taqi dismissed Trump’s proposals as “weird statements” that shouldn’t be taken seriously. Criticizing Trump’s populist approach to international matters, he added that Trump would not risk U.S. imports through the Panama Canal by using force against Panama.

“Denmark will not be giving Greenland to the USA,” Dr. Taqi added in response to Trump’s statement about acquiring Greenland. While Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s security and defense, the nation’s military capabilities on the vast island are limited.

In response to Trump’s comments, Germany and France have issued warnings against any attempt to “move borders by force.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in a televised address, said Trump’s remarks had triggered “incomprehension” among European leaders.

“The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country—regardless of whether it is east of us or to the west—and every state must respect that, whether it is a small country or a very powerful one,” Scholz stated.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed these sentiments, declaring that Europe would defend international law. “There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders,” Barrot said in a televised message.

Dr Taqi concluded his analysis by asserting that Trump’s rhetorical statements are unlikely to be taken seriously, even as they raise concerns about the potential for future political crises. “The bullying tactics won’t work in favor of the USA,” he stated.