The Journal. Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy
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Jan 6, 2026 
Greg Ip, Chief Economics Commentator at The Wall Street Journal and economic historian, explores a major shift in U.S. foreign policy under Trump. He compares the new resource-focused strategy to post-WWII approaches emphasizing alliances and trade. Highlights include Trump's actions in Venezuela, negotiations over Ukraine's mineral wealth, and ambitions for Greenland and Canada. Ip warns of the risks of such interventions and discusses the implications for U.S. credibility globally, suggesting that this 'Donroe Doctrine' could redefine American influence.
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Material Power Over Moral Rhetoric
- Trump frames foreign policy around tangible gains like military power, economic strength, and territory rather than values.
- He places control of resources front and center when deciding to intervene in other countries.
From Containment To Globalization
- Postwar U.S. foreign policy shifted from anti-communism to promoting democracy and global stability.
- Globalization later let the U.S. project influence through trade and investment instead of territorial control.
Ukraine Negotiations As A Financial Deal
- Greg cites Trump's Ukraine peace push where he sought U.S. access to Ukrainian minerals as an example.
- That episode shows Trump treats international deals like financial transactions with tangible payoffs.