The newly elected president of the United States has some ambitious plans in mind, including a proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico, seize control of the Panama Canal, and assert dominion over Greenland.
Donald Trump, the president-elect, recently held an expansive press briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. His primary focus was on economic rejuvenation and achieving what he calls the “greatness” of America. During this event, he elaborated on various economic pledges and underscored the importance of both Greenland and the Panama Canal for national economic stability. Adding a dash of flair, Trump expressed his intention to transform the Gulf of Mexico’s designation to the Gulf of America, which he claimed has “a beautiful ring to it.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump Jr. was on the ground in Greenland—the Danish autonomous territory eagerly eyed by his father. This not-so-coincidental visit came right on the heels of Trump Sr.’s suggestion that the US could benefit from annexing Greenland. To shed light on these developments, Professor Scott Lucas, a scholar in American Studies and International Politics at UCD, lent his insights during a segment on RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime. Below are edited highlights from the conversation, which can be fully enjoyed above, starting at the 2:19 mark.
Consent needed for rte-player content: This content sets cookies on your device and gathers data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load.
What’s Professor Lucas’s take on all this? “Are we really engaging with all the critical global issues, from Russia’s aggression in Ukraine to the ongoing humanitarian crises in Gaza? Not to mention the pressing matters of climate change and domestic concerns like healthcare and affordable housing? And this is what we choose to focus on?”
He added, “Trump doesn’t communicate in the traditional presidential way, which involves serious policymaking and careful assessments. We ought to stop expecting him to act as a ‘normal president.’ His comments are often whimsical musings, crafted to make headlines rather than address real issues.”
“This latest proclamation, of course, will be sensationalized in the media, but it’s simply a fantasy. The Gulf of Mexico, while having American waters nearby, also encompasses Mexican waters. Most of the Gulf is classified as international waters,” Lucas noted.
Consent needed for rte-player content: This content sets cookies on your device and gathers data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load.
From RTÉ News: Trump makes provocative statements regarding both the Panama Canal and Greenland.
In addition to these assertions, Trump has suggested that Canada might as well become the next state of the U.S. “He’s clearly trolling,” Lucas remarked, pointing out the turmoil that Canada is presently facing following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. “What Trump is doing is stoking divisions within Canada, attempting to pit Canadians against each other. He wants to leverage the threat of tariffs, creating tension. The same bullying tactics are evident in his approach to Panama, an issue settled nearly half a century ago, and his puzzling fixation on Greenland.”
“Without diving into the word ‘unhinged,’ I would argue that his perspective lacks a grounding in pragmatism,” Lucas added. “This approach means we’re not going to see any coherent strategy regarding the pressing issues confronting America. Legislative clarity? Forget it. Navigating vital aspects that also affect places like Ireland—corporate tax, tariffs? It’s going to be a haphazard affair where Trump gives orders, hoping that agencies will simply follow along.”
Consent needed for YouTube content: This content sets cookies on your device and gathers data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load.
In relation to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Lucas posed a challenging query regarding Trump’s potential role. “Let’s dissect this serious matter. With families suffering deeply, and some hostages still unaccounted for after 15 months, the expectation is that the U.S. should facilitate negotiations towards a ceasefire. However, that implies holding both the Netanyahu administration and Hamas accountable. But as it stands, Netanyahu seems disinclined to budge.”
“What has Trump actually done to manage this situation? Well, his recent assertion—if hostages aren’t released, we will rain hell on them—falls flat. Gaza has endured relentless destruction for over a year. Does Trump truly think he can introduce a decisive tactic that hasn’t already been attempted?”
“And then there’s the matter of who’s supposed to spearhead these ceasefire negotiations? Is it a seasoned diplomat or someone experienced in Middle Eastern affairs? Nope! It’s a golfing buddy named Steve Witkoff. That illustrates the gap between Trump’s grandiose statements and the ground realities concerning Israel and Gaza.”
Follow RTÉ Brainstorm on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram for more tales and updates.
The opinions voiced here reflect those of the author and do not necessarily mirror the views of RTÉ.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
