It will not be good for anyone!’ Trump Vows Action on Global Front Weeks Before Inauguration
President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled a series of bold foreign policy ambitions ahead of his January 20 inauguration, sparking global debate and varying diplomatic reactions. His recent declarations, ranging from renaming the Gulf of Mexico to reviving controversial proposals about Greenland and the Panama Canal, signal a reassertion of his “America First” agenda on the world stage.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Trump addressed the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, vowing to take decisive action if hostages are not returned to Israel by the time he assumes office. “If they’re not back by the time I get into office, all hell will break out in the Middle East, and it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” Trump stated.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides since the October 2023 Hamas attacks. Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has already started diplomatic groundwork, including traveling to Doha for negotiations. Witkoff expressed optimism, saying, “I’m really hopeful that by the inaugural, we’ll have some good things to announce.”
Trump also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” claiming the name is more appropriate and resonates better with the region’s significance. This proposal ties into his planned tariffs on Mexican goods, aimed at curbing fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed concern about balancing sovereignty and diplomacy amidst these tensions.
Experts warn that such tariffs could provoke retaliatory measures from Mexico, jeopardizing the $800 billion annual trade relationship between the two countries and potentially leading to a deep economic recession in Mexico.
Trump has also revived his aspiration to acquire Greenland, citing national security concerns. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, has firmly rejected the proposal, reiterating that the island “is not for sale and will not be in the future either.”
Similarly, Trump criticized the management of the Panama Canal, accusing operators of overcharging U.S. ships and allowing China to gain influence in the region. He described the current arrangement as “unsustainable” and vowed to renegotiate terms. Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino responded strongly, asserting the nation’s sovereignty over the canal and rejecting any outside interference.
When pressed on whether he would avoid military or coercive strategies in Greenland and Panama, Trump responded bluntly, “No.” He also criticized the late President Jimmy Carter’s decision to hand over control of the Panama Canal, calling it a “failed legacy.”
Trump’s ambitious foreign policy goals have ignited global debate, with some viewing them as a strong reassertion of U.S. interests and others as provocative and potentially destabilizing. As inauguration day approaches, his approach to these issues will likely face intense scrutiny from both allies and adversaries alike.
