President Donald Trump’s second term has seen a shift in his foreign policy approach, embracing ‘big stick diplomacy’ to assert American interests.
In the early days of his second term, President Donald Trump has been making it clear that he intends to take a tough stance on foreign policy, using economic coercion and sharp rhetoric to get what he wants from allies and adversaries alike.
One of the first examples of this approach was seen in the administration’s handling of the situation with Colombia. After the country’s leftist president, Gustavo Petro, refused to allow a U.S. military plane carrying deported migrants to land in the country, ‘Trump threatened to impose massive tariffs on Colombian goods coming into the United States.’ The threat was enough to prompt Petro to quickly relent, and the moment may be just a taste of what is to come.
The approach being taken by the Trump administration is often referred to as ‘big stick diplomacy.’ This refers to the idea that the U.S. will use its economic power and military might to get what it wants from other countries, rather than relying on diplomacy and negotiation. The administration has made it clear that this approach is driven by an unrelenting commitment to the ‘America First’ worldview.
Big Stick Diplomacy is a foreign policy strategy developed by Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States.
This approach combines diplomacy with military power to achieve national interests.
The 'big stick' refers to the willingness to use force if negotiations fail.
Roosevelt believed in using this approach to assert American influence and protect its citizens abroad.
He applied Big Stick Diplomacy in several instances, including the Venezuelan Crisis of 1902-1903 and the Russo-Japanese War.
This policy aimed to promote peace through strength and deter aggression from other nations.
One of the key players in this approach is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will be traveling to Central America this week as part of his first international trip as America’s top diplomat. The decision to put a focus on Central America speaks to how big a priority immigration is for Trump out of the gate, and it is likely that we will see more examples of the administration using economic coercion and sharp rhetoric to get what it wants from other countries in the region.
Marco Rubio is an American politician and lawyer who has served as a U.S. Senator from Florida since 2011.
Born on May 28, 1971, in Miami, Florida, 'I'm not a scientist' , Rubio graduated from the University of Florida and later earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
He previously served as Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives from 2007 to 2008.
Rubio has been a prominent figure in Republican politics, serving on various committees, including Foreign Relations and Intelligence.
A New Era in U.S.-China Relations?
The situation with Panama may also be a sign of things to come. ‘Trump has claimed that China is operating the Panama Canal, which has long been a source of concern for the U.S. government.’ However, it appears that the administration’s approach will be more focused on using economic coercion and sharp rhetoric to get what it wants from other countries, rather than relying on diplomacy and negotiation.
The United States and China have a complex history dating back to the early 19th century.
The Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860) marked the beginning of Western influence in China, with the U.S. playing a significant role in the treaties that followed.
In the 20th century, the two nations became allies during World War II but later became adversaries due to ideological differences and economic competition.
The 1972 Nixon visit marked a turning point in relations, leading to increased trade and diplomatic engagement.
However, tensions have risen again in recent years over issues like Taiwan, human rights, and territorial disputes.
It remains to be seen how this new era in U.S.-China relations will play out, but one thing is clear: the Trump 2.0 approach on foreign policy is all about talking loudly and carrying a big stick.
