In an interview with the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations website about Donald Trump’s positions on the US-Canada tariff war and the claims about the Panama Canal, Amir Ali Abolfatah stated: Trump’s America, especially the “second Trump” America, is not only dangerous to its enemies but also to its allies because he is seriously pursuing the realization of “America First” and has announced that if anyone wants to use the benefits and advantages of the US economy and the country’s military forces and security umbrella, they must pay a ransom. Trump’s current statement is that Canada and Mexico are profiting by using the benefits of the US, and this is to the detriment of the American people; if this is the case, then they should become part of the US territory.

He clarified: In other words, it can be said that the spirit of territorial expansionism that seemed to have subsided at the end of the 19th century is erupting again.

Stating that the United States sees itself on the verge of entering a global trade war, this expert on American affairs stated: From the American perspective, this country must control important regions of the world in this war, and one of these regions is the Panama Canal because by possessing this canal, it can severely harm China.

Stating that if China wants its ships to have access to European markets and the eastern parts of the American continent, it must pass through the Panama Canal, he added: Therefore, the possible control of this canal is important in a global war with China. Greenland is also in the way of Europe and the United States, and the United States is thinking of making Europe more dependent on the United States, so either they must buy more oil and gas from the United States or increase tariffs.

He continued: If Trump cannot establish territorial dominance, which seems complicated, he will pressure his allies to yield to his demands. According to nationalists in the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Germany, France, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, etc., owe their wealth to the United States. If it were not for the United States, none of these countries would have the power and wealth they have today.

Emphasizing that there are now two factions in the United States that have nothing to do with the Republican and Democratic parties, Abolfatah stated: There is one faction of globalists who are multiracial and advocate cooperation with others to ensure security and another faction of extreme nationalists who believe that globalization brings nothing but poverty and misery to the United States. In this context, Trump is a nationalist and a believer in Roman peace, just as when Rome’s enemies were so afraid of the Roman army that they agreed to peace. This faction now says that the world should fear America so much that they agree to its demands.

He said that Trump had previously told the Saudi king that if there was no American security umbrella, you would speak Persian for two weeks, or he told the Europeans that if you don’t pay, I will ask Putin to annex you to Russia. Now, he has the same approach regarding Denmark and the Panama Canal. Trump’s position is, in a way, a death sentence so that these countries will be satisfied with the fever and accept Trump’s demands.

Regarding the Republican Party’s view of this Trump approach, Abolfatah stressed that the Republican Party and its candidate are not the issues at this time. Still, the Trump Party is the issue and said: The Republican Party is intimidated by Donald Trump. The disaster that the Trumpists have brought upon the Republican Party is such that this party cannot speak. Even Elon Musk has threatened Republicans who did not support Trump. There are also those within the Democratic Party who are nationalists. Therefore, there are also Democrats who like Trump’s ideas and support him. So, it can be said that these ideas are generally popular in America.

The American affairs expert continued: The purpose of Trump’s territorial threats against other countries is to get somehow these countries to pay heavy US tariffs. Regarding Canada, it should be said that Justin Trudeau will soon leave power, and a conservative who shares Trump’s views will probably come to power.