Trump returns to hardline diplomacy with sanctions, tariffs, threats
Trump recently targeted Nigeria, warning of possible airstrikes or troop deployments in response to what he described as attacks on Christians. He said that if the Nigerian government "continues to allow the killing of Christians," Washington would immediately cut all aid, adding that the US could “go into that now disgraced country, 'guns-a-blazing.’”
Nigerian officials rejected the allegation, insisting there is no government-supported religious persecution. As one minister put it, "At any level — be it federal, be it regional, be it local — it's impossible."
Caracas has again been a focal point of Mr. Trump’s confrontational posture. He warned that President Nicolas Maduro’s “days are numbered” if his government continued to defy Washington, suggesting tougher oil sanctions and even a naval blockade could follow. US actions in recent months have included a naval presence off Venezuela’s coast. Maduro dismissed US claims as “vulgar” and “totally fake,” insisting his country does not produce cocaine and warning that US movements presage “a new, eternal war.”
Tensions with Beijing have flared over export controls on critical minerals, prompting threats of “a massive increase of tariffs” on Chinese imports. “China is becoming very hostile and is holding the world captive by restricting access to the metals and magnets we need,” the US president said, framing tariffs as a tool to blunt China’s rise and to warn allies about trade risks.
He also announced a 10% tariff on countries that align with the BRICS bloc’s “anti-American policies.” Yet despite the saber-rattling, Trump and Xi agreed in October to a one-year trade-and-tariff deal.
Moscow has been told to expect “severe consequences” if it expands military operations in Ukraine. Trump has threatened sanctions and secondary tariffs, asserting that Russia would face reprisals if it did not halt the conflict within a short timeframe. Diplomatic engagement with Moscow has continued, but planned summits have been unstable and momentum toward ending the war has stalled.
On trade, Trump has repeatedly attacked Canada for perceived exploitation of US deals, even reviving hyperbolic talk of treating Canada as the “51st state.” He has levied on-again, off-again tariffs that have rattled bilateral commerce and at times threatened further duties in response to political moves in Ottawa.
Trump returned to a hardline stance on Tehran following reports of accelerated enrichment. He warned that “if they do not make peace, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier,” and vowed to “wipe out” any renewed nuclear capability. He described Iranian signals as “very bad signals, very nasty signals.”
Trump questioned Panamanian control of the Panama Canal, claiming China was effectively operating it and asserting the US would “take it back.” “China is operating the Panama Canal.
And we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” he declared, also suggesting US vessels should transit key canals without paying fees.
Once again floating the idea of acquiring Greenland, Trump cast the territory as vital to “international world security” and vowed, “we're going to get it one way or the other; we're going to get it," after Denmark rejected the proposal. He also threatened tariffs on Danish goods.
Trump launched a scathing attack on Colombia and its president, accusing President Gustavo Petro of being “an illegal drug leader,” branding the nation a “drug den,” and threatening to cut US aid. He warned that the US would intervene if Colombia “doesn’t shut down the killing fields.” Petro responded by defending his record against narcotics and by questioning Trump’s knowledge of Colombia.
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