Story perspectives

Trump's Americas-First Doctrine Redefines U.S. Regional Influence

10/26/2025

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump advances an Americas-First doctrine that shifts policy from global engagement to Western Hemisphere influence, drawing on McKinley’s economic nationalism and Roosevelt’s proactive strategies.
The doctrine reinterprets territorial control and industrial dominance, framing the Western Hemisphere as a domain for U.S. influence.
The Trump administration frames Venezuela as a test case to reshape regional dynamics and counter powers such as China.

History

Historical Context

The 1898 Spanish-American War marked a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, establishing America as an imperial power through territorial acquisitions like Puerto Rico and Guam. This expansionist trend continued with Theodore Roosevelt's 1904 Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, asserting U.S. intervention in Latin America. Today, President Donald Trump's America-First doctrine reflects this historical precedent, emphasizing U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump advances an Americas-First doctrine that shifts policy from global engagement to Western Hemisphere influence, drawing on McKinley’s economic nationalism and Roosevelt’s proactive strategies.
The doctrine reinterprets territorial control and industrial dominance, framing the Western Hemisphere as a domain for U.S. influence.
The Trump administration frames Venezuela as a test case to reshape regional dynamics and counter powers such as China.

1 / 2