How Do We Understand Trump’s Vision of the World?

Jennifer Mittelstadt, a history professor at Rutgers University, suggested that former U.S. President Donald Trump adopts a worldview similar to the “Sovereignty Movement,” an anti-globalist ideology that emerged in the early 20th century but remains relatively unknown.

During a televised interview on CNN, Mittelstadt explained that this movement was part of the American right-wing currents that opposed federal government interventions and international institutions.

Mittelstadt emphasized that while Trump’s political ideology is not entirely clear, his rhetoric aligns with ideas promoted by the “Sovereignty Movement,” particularly when discussing issues like the Panama Canal.

“When Trump started mentioning the Panama Canal, I realized he was drawing from a long tradition of skepticism toward internationalism. The canal was a focal point of contention over national sovereignty after World War II,” she stated.

She further elaborated that American interest in the Panama Canal dates back to the post-World War I era when major questions arose about national sovereignty in a world witnessing the collapse of empires and the emergence of new states. She highlighted that this period saw efforts to reinforce national sovereignty and resist foreign interventions.

Mittelstadt also reviewed events from the 1970s when Panamanian President Omar Torrijos sought to reclaim lands under American control. At the time, this move was perceived as a threat to U.S. sovereignty. She noted that this conflict revolved around the concept of “sovereignty,” which could serve as a tool for exerting power or a means of preserving independence.

Linking these historical ideas to Trump’s recent decisions, Mittelstadt argued that the former president does not perceive international cooperation as a means of strengthening U.S. influence; rather, he sees it as a threat to national sovereignty.

She added that the vast majority of American leadership after World War II viewed international institutions, such as the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, as instruments for extending U.S. dominance. In contrast, Trump and his supporters believe that these institutions pose a risk to national interests.