From Canada to Gaza, the Next Land Grab

What starts as talk can end in takeover.

When Donald Trump suggests annexing Canada, purchasing Greenland, or sending U.S. troops into Gaza, the instinctive reaction from many is to dismiss it as hyperbole, a distraction, or just another one of his headline-grabbing moments. But after nearly a decade of watching Trump upend political norms, and as someone who lived his chaos firsthand when it came to the rollercoaster inside the White House on foreign policy, one lesson is clear: we ignore his words at our peril.

The President's statements about territorial expansion—whether it's "joking" about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state, re-upping his 2019 Greenland purchase proposal now backed by Republican Congressman Earl Carter of Georgia's bill(yes, he actually states Greenland should be renamed Red, White, and Blueland) or hinting at sending U.S. forces into Gaza — should not be dismissed outright. These comments might not always translate into immediate policy actions; however, they send dangerous signals to both our allies and adversaries. They reveal an underlying mindset, one where the United States, under his leadership, could disregard international norms, treaties, and alliances in favor of raw power plays. The implications for global stability, American trustworthiness, and the strength of our adversaries are significant.

Hyperbole or Real Intent?

Trump thrives on provocation. His off-the-cuff statements, often dismissed as unserious, have an unsettling tendency to manifest into reality when given the opportunity. In 2016, few believed he would pull the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement or abandon the Iran Nuclear Deal — until he did. Guess what, he just did it all over again. His musings about building a border wall, enacting a Muslim travel ban, or pressuring Ukraine for political dirt on opponents all began as seemingly exaggerated campaign rhetoric.

His remarks about territorial expansion fit within a pattern: drop an initial bombastic statement, followed by mockery from critics, then a serious pursuit behind closed doors by his advisors and enablers. When Trump floated buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019, the suggestion was met with global ridicule. Yet, those of us inside the White House knew that they were actively pursuing strategies to make it happen, framing it as a strategic necessity against China and Russia in the Arctic. Fast forward to the present day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated, "This is not a joke," and revisited the same theories.

This matters because Trump's statements are not just empty words. They create a permission structure for like-minded figures in his orbit to consider radical policy shifts. These wild ideas can creep into actual government action in an administration devoid of guardrails. 

What This Does to Our Foreign Policy Relationships

America's allies have already experienced the whiplash of Trump's foreign policy once, and they are rightfully preparing for a second round. When the leader of a supposed democratic superpower flirts with the idea of taking over its northern neighbor or unilaterally inserting itself into conflicts, it erodes international confidence in U.S. commitments.

Take Canada, for example. While Trump's remarks might seem like a joke, they are deeply unsettling given his trade wars, hostility towards NATO, and previous threats to dismantle long-standing alliances. It sends a message that America under Trump is not a reliable partner but a volatile force willing to rewrite boundaries and betray alliances for self-interest.

For European allies, the Greenland debacle already strained relations with Denmark, a NATO member. The idea that the U.S. could simply buy or annex another country's land shakes the very foundation of the rules-based international order. Suppose America, the champion of democracy, starts treating other sovereign nations as assets to be acquired; what legitimacy does it have in condemning similar actions by Russia, China, or Iran? In a Trump 2.0 world, given his recent conversation with Vladimir Putin, it's clear that doesn't matter to him. Those are his allies, regardless of them being our worst adversaries.

And then there's Gaza. Trump's rhetoric about deploying U.S. forces into the conflict would only serve to inflame tensions in an already volatile region. Such statements destabilize diplomatic efforts and make it harder for our allies in the Middle East, like Jordan and Egypt, to navigate the crisis without fearing reckless American intervention.

How It Destroys Trust in American Leadership

Trust is the currency of international diplomacy. When Trump tosses out reckless ideas, he undermines America's credibility. Our allies — whether in NATO, the G7, or the Indo-Pacific, have already witnessed how easily he cast aside long-standing commitments. If they believe a second Trump term means even greater unpredictability, they will hedge their bets elsewhere, strengthening alternative alliances and reducing reliance on the U.S.

Even within the U.S. government, his erratic rhetoric sows distrust. The State Department, the Pentagon, and intelligence agencies all suffered from policy chaos during his first term, with career officials forced to navigate the minefield of his whims and tweets. I was one of those officials helping former Vice President Mike Pence navigate it. Returning to this environment will undoubtedly demoralize institutions and push seasoned officials out, or as we've already seen, they will be forced out, leaving only those willing to carry out their most dangerous impulses.

How It Strengthens Our Adversaries

While Trump's America-first rhetoric claims to project strength, it actually hands opportunities to our adversaries. China, Russia, and Iran benefit from an America seen as unreliable and reckless.

Russia: Putin's territorial ambitions are no secret. When Trump flirts with the idea of annexing Canada or Greenland, it provides an implicit endorsement of similar behavior. How can the U.S. credibly oppose Russia's invasion of Ukraine if its own former President suggests taking land from democratic allies? How can America claim to be a fair arbitrator in ending the war in Ukraine? Oh. Right. We're not. Furthermore, I want to be clear that Russia is currently utilizing Trump and Elon Musk's attacks on USAID as an opportunity to intimidate its people. Yes. You read that correctly. Russia is asking Elon Musk to release information on the groups that were funded by our government so that they can persecute the recipients. Let me be even more blunt: Trump and Elon Musk are aiding Russia in the fight against democracy.

China: Beijing is watching closely. With Trump back in the Oval Office, resuming talk of isolationism, trade wars, or abandoning allies, China will use it to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America nations will turn to China as a more stable partner. A reminder that the only winner, given the latest headlines on the massive layoffs at USAID, is China. No, it's not "Big Balls," the DOGE staffer, although he just landed a plump new role at the State Department.

Iran & Other Adversaries: A fractured U.S. foreign policy emboldens rogue actors. If America appears distracted by internal chaos and absurd foreign policy stunts, Iran could seek to escalate aggression in the Middle East, North Korea may ramp up provocations, and terrorist organizations will undoubtedly exploit the instability.

The Growing Coalitions Against Us

Trump's foreign policy blunders are not happening in a vacuum. While he alienates allies, adversaries are forming new coalitions to counter U.S. influence. The China-Russia partnership is growing, the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are expanding, and Middle Eastern powers like Saudi Arabia are hedging their bets between the U.S. and other emerging powers. Even Latin American nations, traditionally within America's sphere of influence, have been deepening ties with China. 

The more Trump sows global distrust, the more these coalitions will solidify, creating a world order less favorable to the United States. The U.S. will find itself isolated, with fewer allies willing to stand beside it in moments of crisis.

So, do we believe Trump when he talks about taking over Canada, the Panama Canal, Greenland, or Gaza? If history has taught us anything, it's that we must take him seriously. His words are not harmless. They lay the groundwork for dangerous policies that erode trust, damage alliances, and empower our adversaries. If America wants to maintain its standing in the world, it cannot afford another term of reckless, self-serving foreign policy. Because while Trump might see these statements as ways to dominate the news cycle, the consequences — diplomatic, strategic, and geopolitical — will be long-lasting and severe. 

So what do we do? While foreign policy isn't the sexiest or easiest topic over dinner conversations with family and friends, we should make an earnest effort to educate ourselves and others on what this means for the greater good of our national security here at home.

The world is watching. And so are those who would love nothing more than to see America falter.

Please stay engaged. Inform others. Until next time…

Olivia