By John Ross
The second Trump presidency differs from previous US administrations in rhetoric and tactics.
It is carrying out military attacks and intensified blockades against Cuba, Nicaragua and Iran. But it simultaneously imposes tariffs, insults allies, and makes threats such as seizing Greenland from Denmark.
Against China, early in this presidency, the US threatened 145 per cent tariffs before retreating and Trump has attempted to negotiate an end of the Ukraine war with Russia.
All this has led some to argue Trump is fundamentally changing US goals. It is suggested he is proposing the US retreat into the western hemisphere or is prepared to divide the rest of the world into “spheres of influence” with countries such as China and Russia.
No change in US goals
These ideas are wrong and dangerous, as will be demonstrated as events unfold, because they leave countries unprepared for what is happening. They are also used to suggest that it is not so vital to defend countries such as Cuba, because the US is only interested in the western hemisphere, and will not attacks other countries if they do not interfere with US goals there.
Such views are in contradiction with even the Trump presidency’s words in its two new major policy statements — the National Security Strategy and National Defence Strategy.
Certainly, these stress US desire to control the western hemisphere.
The Security Strategy states: “After years of neglect, the United States will reassert … American pre-eminence in the western hemisphere.”
But it makes clear that its target is not only Latin American countries seeking independent development but also China — which is the chief trading and construction partner of many Latin American countries....