Another Wave of Imperialism Under the Trump Administration

Before assuming office, former U.S. President Donald Trump made a controversial statement at Mar-a-Lago, warning that "all hell will break out" if captives held in Gaza were not released before a ceasefire. While this event unfolded to the satisfaction of many, it was not long before Trump proposed a drastic measure: displacing 1.5 million Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt in what he described as a plan to "clean out Gaza." Now, despite his previous criticism of nation-building, Trump has advanced the idea of taking control of the Gaza Strip, signalling a more overtly imperialistic approach.

This raises the question: What happened to the principles of peaceful liberal coexistence that the U.S. has long claimed to uphold? Could such actions be justified under Trump's broader vision of "Making America Great Again"? While imperialism traditionally involves establishing or maintaining formal hegemony, Trump’s ambitions appear to extend beyond mere influence. Since assuming office, he has impacted the international community with bold, expansionist rhetoric, including claims about incorporating Canada as the 51st U.S. state, asserting control over Greenland, and reviving interest in the Panama Canal. Now, Gaza has become the latest target in this trajectory.

Trump’s administration has painted a vision of transforming Gaza into the so-called "Riviera of the Middle East," turning it into a prime Mediterranean resort destination. However, realising this vision would necessitate the forced displacement of nearly 2 million Palestinians. This approach echoes historical patterns of colonialism, wherein powerful nations exert control over indigenous populations for economic gain. Trump's background in real estate development further underscores this agenda. His business empire, including the Mar-a-Lago resort, has heavily invested in luxury properties and tourism, and this mindset appears to extend to Gaza. Even Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, remarked that "Gaza’s waterfront property could be very valuable," revealing a perspective that prioritises economic exploitation over humanitarian concerns.

Historically, such actions mirror the practices of European colonial powers—whether British, Spanish, or Dutch—who justified territorial expansion under the guise of economic development. This neo-imperialist trend in U.S. foreign policy is concerning. Have American leaders not learned from their own history with Native Americans? The prolonged Indian Wars, spanning over 300 years (1609–1924), were driven by expansionist policies that forcibly displaced indigenous populations from their ancestral lands. The parallels between those historical conflicts and the current situation in Gaza are striking while Native Americans resisted westward expansion in open plains, Palestinians today fight for their survival in the urban ruins of an open-air prison created by Israeli inhumane policies.

The U.S. government’s unwavering support for Israel further exacerbates the situation. Israel, often regarded as America's "little brother," benefits from substantial financial and military backing while facing minimal accountability on the global stage. Even the United Nations, which should serve as an impartial mediator, has been rendered ineffective due to the U.S. shielding Israel from international scrutiny. This was evident when, following Palestinian rejection of Trump’s Gaza plan, the U.S. withdrew from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHCR) and halted funding for Palestinian refugees. Israel promptly followed suit, reinforcing the perception that both nations seek to avoid accountability for human rights violations.

The justification for these withdrawals—that the UNHCR is "biased" against Israel—does little to mask the reality: rather than facing global condemnation for their actions, the U.S. and Israel prefer to sideline institutions that challenge their policies. The Trump administration’s complicity in the ongoing suffering of Palestinians is undeniable, particularly as it aligns itself with figures like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces an active arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Ultimately, the Trump administration’s approach to Gaza is a blatant exercise in neo-imperialism, marked by economic opportunism, historical amnesia, and strategic displacement. By endorsing policies that forcibly remove Palestinians from their homeland, Trump continues a long tradition of colonial exploitation—one that risks further destabilising the region and undermining the very democratic ideals the U.S. claims to uphold.