Trump’s bold vision: Annexations, canals & manifest destiny

President-elect Donald Trump is stirring global debates with his bold and controversial vision for American expansionism. From revisiting the idea of purchasing Greenland and reclaiming control of the Panama Canal to jokingly suggesting Canada could become the 51st U.S. state, Trump’s rhetoric is reviving the 19th-century ideology of Manifest Destiny. While these proposals have drawn sharp criticism from global leaders, they are energising his base at home. In this episode of Statecraft, Geeta Mohan unpacks Trump’s provocative statements, their historical parallels, and global reactions, exploring whether these ideas signal a new era of American dominance or are simply political theatre.