'Speak softly and carry a big stick' was an aphorism from President Teddy Roosevelt, used off and on to describe American foreign policy throughout the years.
Donald Trump's second term could best be described as 'speak loudly and carry an even bigger stick' if we're to judge by the first weeks of his presidency. It is a departure from his first term and a welcome change.
Donald Trump has learned a thing or two between 2017 and 2025.
So, the threat of renaming the gulf of Mexico and trade tariffs from Trump got immediate action on longstanding foreign policy concerns for free...
— Rekieta Law (@RekietaLaw) February 3, 2025
When are people going to learn that Trump understands leverage and isn't afraid to use it?
Let's recap some of Trump's recent wins:
On January 26, Colombian President Gustavo Petro refused to accept flights of Colombian nationals who had been deported. Within hours, Donald Trump dropped the hammer on Petro and Colombia in the form of tariffs (he's a huge fan of tariffs), travel bans and visa restrictions on Colombian officials and their family members, and sanctions. Colombia folded, with President Petro sending his own plane to repatriate the deportees.
Recommended
Trump sent Special Envoy Richard Grenell to Venezuela to negotiate (read: tell) President Nicolas Maduro that he will be accepting Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration. Not only did Grenell deliver that message, Grenell returned with six Americans who'd been held prisoner in the South American nation. This writer didn't even know there were that many Americans being held in Venezuela, and it's clear getting Americans home was not a priority of the Biden-Harris administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reasserted Trump's vision of buying Greenland is not, in fact, bravado. Trump is serious and calls the strategic move a matter of national security. In his interview, Rubio acknowledges that Trump's blunt, straightforward manner is an effective diplomatic strategy. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called on Denmark to enter negotiations with Trump concerning Greenland.
Mexico and China have been taking advantage of the United States for decades.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) February 2, 2025
Finally, we have a president in Donald Trump who is ready to look out for American citizens and impose some consequences to show these countries that we're not going to be taken advantage of. pic.twitter.com/92XwRJhspD
In the last 48 hours, Trump also imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing border security concerns including illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This morning, Mexico folded like a cheap shirt and agreed to send 10,000 National Guard soldiers to its border to stymie drug-running. Reports indicate Trump will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today.
For three days a lot of the far left has actively rooted against America and argued we’d get nothing out of President Trump’s demands that Mexico secure its country.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) February 3, 2025
Well, how do you like them apples? pic.twitter.com/NBpkRHXjko
The biggest win of the last week has been getting Panama to terminate its agreement with China, a shot across the bow of a tacit adversary.
BREAKING: The President of Panama just terminated Panama's agreement with China immediately after meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 2, 2025
"I believe that this visit opens a way to build a new stage of relations, that is how I see it, that is how I felt it on the part of… pic.twitter.com/UxNXFMExCS
China having control of Panama Canal was a major detriment to American interests. Trump's threat to take back control of the Canal -- by any means necessary (something he vowed in front of Chinese officials, mind you) -- is a signal to the world they won't get to bully America anymore.
This is not the Trump of 2017. He is reminiscent of Teddy Roosevelt and Richard Nixon in terms of his foreign policy approach: this is a Trump who is engaged, muscular, and unafraid to advance his agenda.
And the world is responding.
