Trump and the Americas

That is the topic of my latest Free Press column, here is one excerpt:

And in this system, where is the dominant American sphere of influence likely to be? North America and Latin America. These regions are removed from the rest of the world by large oceans; they share time zones; and there are plenty of Latin Americans in the United States, creating linguistic, personal, and business ties. America’s connections with Canada are even more obvious. China may buy lots of commodities from Latin American countries, but it is unlikely ever to have comparably close connections, if only for reasons of language, distance, and culture.

And this:

Let’s start with Argentina. Milei is trying to bring freer markets and fiscal responsibility to Argentina. If he succeeds, many in the region will copy his formulas. But if he fails, free markets might end up discredited. So, in the Trumpian view, it is very important to throw him a lifeline. Trump sees the United States’ $20 billion economic support package to Argentina not just as a “bailout,” but as an attempt to shape the entire ideological direction of South America.

The article offers many further specific points.