Imagine if the modern world of the 21st century suddenly returns to the era of the 19th century when powerful countries used to draw lines on the map and decide who would have rights over which land. Donald Trump’s new diplomatic experiment is putting the world at the same turning point. This is being called ‘Donroe Doctrine’. This is not just the story of Latin America but it is the beginning of America’s geographical veto on the global supply chain, the echo of which is being heard from Beijing to Delhi. Trump’s announcement that he will acquire Greenland by any means, easy or hard, and re-impose US sovereignty over the Panama Canal is not just an election slogan. This is such an aggressive plan to change the geography of the world and bury China’s dreams of ‘Polar Silk Road’ in the ice, which has brought the whole of Asia to the brink of an unknown danger.

Is Trump worried about the Polar Silk Road?
China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ is a new and shorter sea route from Asia to Europe through the melting ice of the Arctic, which reduces the travel time by 15-20 days compared to the traditional Suez Canal. China is investing billions of dollars in research and infrastructure here so that it can capture the future global trade route and the huge reserves of oil and gas hidden there. On the other hand, Trump’s ‘Donro Doctrine’ is like a ‘death warrant’ for this Chinese intention. If America blocks Greenland and strategic points in the North Atlantic, China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ will end before it even starts, which could lead to Beijing’s investment worth billions sinking and the entire Asia’s trade dependence on America will again increase.

Donro Doctrine: When America said- ‘We are the boss’
This ‘Donro Doctrine’ of Trump is actually a very aggressive and modern version of the old ‘Monroe Doctrine’ of 1823. The old policy used to say that outside powers should not interfere in America (continent), but Trump’s ‘corollary’ (conclusion) is much further than this. Their message is simple—America will not only rule this hemisphere but also take over all those assets that can benefit its adversaries (especially China).

Greenland and Panama: strategic hunting
Trump is eyeing Greenland because it is a treasure trove of future Arctic shipping routes and rare earth minerals. China is expanding its footprint here by calling itself a Near Arctic State. Trump’s intention to occupy Greenland is to directly block China’s Arctic trade. At the same time, excluding China’s Belt and Road Initiative from the Panama Canal and presenting Venezuela as an American protectorate shows that Washington will no longer care about sovereignty.

Why alarm bells for Asia?
The ‘Donro Doctrine’ is a double-edged sword for Asian countries. From Beijing’s perspective, if America gets entangled in Latin America, it may have to reduce its power in the Western Pacific. But its other side is scary. If Trump uses military force to root out Chinese investments in Latin America, it would create a ‘managed fragmentation’ in the global economy. This is a stress test for American allies like Japan, India and South Korea. If America gives priority to protecting only its backyard, then Asian countries will have to be self-reliant for their own security. There is also a danger that the superpowers may divide the territory among themselves i.e. “You do not come to our area, we will not come to your area.” If this happens, China’s arbitrariness in Asia may increase further.

‘Donro Doctrine’ and global turmoil
1. What is the meaning of the term ‘Donro Doctrine’?
This is a mixed form of ‘Donald Trump’ and ‘Monroe Doctrine’. Under this, America claims to completely eliminate the economic and political influence of any non-American power (China-Russia) in the Western Hemisphere.

2. Why is Trump so aggressive in acquiring Greenland?
Greenland has huge reserves of ‘rare earth minerals’ required for making chips. Also, due to climate change, Arctic ice is melting, opening new and shorter sea routes from Asia to Europe. Trump wants to keep the keys of these routes with himself.

3. Will this policy have any direct impact on countries like India?
Yes, in two ways. First, the global supply chain will be affected because the US will impose strict sanctions on Chinese companies in Latin America. Second, India will have to formulate a new strategy for its energy security in areas like the Arctic and Latin America.

4. Will China and Russia quietly accept this American expansionism?
The example of Venezuela shows that despite huge investment, China and Russia could not stop America’s direct intervention there. However, the entanglement of Russia and China in the Arctic could create a major military headache for America.

5. Is it possible for America to recapture the Panama Canal?
Trump considers it ‘American property’. Under the ‘Donro Doctrine’, they can use military or economic pressure to pull Panama out of the Belt and Road Project, which could upset the balance of global trade.

6. What is China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ and how can Trump’s ‘Donrow Doctrine’ destroy it?
China’s ‘Polar Silk Road’ reduces the journey through the Arctic to Europe by 20 days. Trump’s ‘Donro Doctrine’ wants to seize the key to this route by occupying Greenland. If America blocks these routes, China’s investments worth billions will sink and American dominance over global trade will be re-established.