Shocking Vow? Global Outcry as Trump Promises US Expansion!

As President Donald Trump resumed office on Monday, his declaration to extend U.S. borders for the first time since World War II was met with celebration from far-right groups globally, but sparked concern among other world leaders, politicians, activists, and commentators. His commitment threatens the autonomy of a nation allied with the U.S. in both commerce and security.

During his second inaugural speech, Trump outlined a foreign policy aimed at territorial expansion. He revisited the notion of “Manifest Destiny”—the 19th-century ideology that Americans were divinely ordained to dominate the entire North American continent—and proposed extending this vision to space, with plans to send American astronauts to plant the flag on Mars.

“That’s a dangerous statement in itself, but then others around the world might also be inspired to do the same.”

The inauguration coincided with the federal holiday commemorating Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a noted civil rights leader and advocate for peace, whom Trump referenced during his address. Critics pointed out the stark contrast between King’s principles and Trump’s aggressive rhetoric.

“How dare Donald Trump invoke Dr. King,” exclaimed Melina Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African studies and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, on social media. “Trump personifies the very evils MLK warned against: racism, materialism, and militarism.”

Indigenous activists also voiced concerns, highlighting that the ideology of Manifest Destiny had historically justified severe oppression and violence against Native Americans.

“Trump’s speech aggressively targets Native Americans with his mentions of Manifest Destiny, the frontier, and the Wild West, including his plans to rename Denali,” stated Brett Chapman, an attorney and descendant of Ponca Chief White Eagle, on social media. “This feels like a speech from the 1800s, recalling times when Native Americans were persecuted by militarized expansion.”

In his address, Trump inaccurately claimed China controlled the Panama Canal and complained about Panama overcharging U.S. vessels for passage. He boldly declared, “we’re taking it back.”

As protests erupted outside the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino countered Trump’s assertions, affirming that “the canal is and will remain Panamanian.”

Trump’s comments follow his recent refusal to dismiss the possibility of using military force to seize control of strategic locations like the Panama Canal and Greenland, a Danish territory.

Trump’s speech left many South American progressives in disbelief.

“Donald Trump’s inauguration speech confirmed that reality can be stranger than fiction,” remarked Carol Dartora, a progressive representative in Brazil’s National Congress. “The U.S. president displayed clear tendencies toward machismo, imperialism, and xenophobia, particularly targeting immigrants.”

Across the ocean, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt expressed his concerns: “Now we know that President Trump wants to ‘expand our territory.’ Such a declaration is dangerous by itself, but it also sets a precedent that could inspire similar actions globally. It’s a recipe for worldwide chaos.”

German author and journalist Annette Dittert summarized her reaction to Trump’s expansionist vow with a succinct online acronym: “‘We will become a nation that expands our territory?’ WTF?”