Podcast Summary: The Journal.

Episode: Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' on Foreign Policy
Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Knutson, Jessica Mendoza
Main Guest: Greg Ip (Chief Economics Commentator, WSJ)

Overview

This episode investigates President Donald Trump's dramatic shift in American foreign policy—coined the "Donroe Doctrine," a play on both "Donald" and the historical Monroe Doctrine. Host Ryan Knudson and WSJ's Greg Ip dissect how Trump's focus on tangible economic interests, resource acquisition, and territorial ambitions deviates from the nation's traditional, values-driven approach, and what this means for the U.S., its neighbors, and global geopolitics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Ideals to Interests: The Generational Policy Shift

• Historic Rhetoric vs. Trump's Framing:
  Traditionally, U.S. foreign interventions have been justified on high-minded ideals: “restore democracy,” “keep peace,” etc. (03:20–04:36). Trump makes explicit the pursuit of economic interests—most notably, oil in Venezuela.
  • Quote:
    Donald Trump (on Venezuela):

    “The oil companies are going to go in, they're going to spend money. We're going to take back the oil that, frankly, we should have taken back a long time ago.” (01:08)

• Greg Ip's Assessment: Trump’s worldview values military/economic prowess and tangible assets over abstract democratic ideals. Economic interests are now "front and center" (01:37).

2. Postwar U.S. Foreign Policy—A Brief History

• Cold War (1947–1991):
  The primary goal was combating communism, often leading to interventionist overreach (e.g., coups in Iran and Guatemala) (03:20–04:02).
• Post-Cold War:
  Focus shifted to spreading democracy, managing rogue states, and supporting international stability (04:11–04:36).

3. Trump’s Second Term: Policy in Action

• Ukraine & Resource Extraction:
  Trump halted military aid to Ukraine and negotiated for U.S. access to Ukrainian mineral wealth as part of peace talks—a clear example of transactional diplomacy (04:48–05:39).
• Ambitions in the Americas:
  Trump has floated unprecedented moves: acquiring Greenland, making Canada the 51st state, and reclaiming the Panama Canal (05:50–06:05).
  • Quote:
    Donald Trump:

    “We have to have Greenland. It's not a question of, do you think we can do without it? We can't, frankly. Canada should be the 51st state, okay? It really should.” (05:50)

4. The Spheres of Influence & Revival of Old Doctrines

• Return to Pre-WWII Power Politics:
  Trump signals a return to the notion of privileged U.S. “spheres of influence” in the Western Hemisphere, reminiscent of 19th-century geopolitics (07:09).
• Monroe Doctrine Refresher (07:34–08:34):
  Initially designed (1823) to keep European colonial ambitions out of the Americas, later waned with globalization and friendly democracies in the region.

5. The “Donroe Doctrine”: Trump’s Personal Corollary

• Differences from Monroe Doctrine:
  Trump's version is highly personalized—pursuing fixes like Greenland, reflecting his unique priorities rather than bipartisan policy continuity (10:40–11:44).
  • Notable Exchange:
    Greg Ip:

    “I don't know that anybody else in the broader foreign policy sphere or the Republican Party thinks is that important to acquire Greenland. That kind of started with Trump.” (11:01)

• Name Significance:
  "Donroe Doctrine" = Trump’s distinctive take on U.S. hemispheric policy, more about tangible gains than enduring values.

6. Potential Benefits & Risks

• Benefits: (12:07)
  • U.S. attention might bring economic and security aid to the hemisphere.
  • Access to resources could be advantageous or keep them from adversaries.
• Risks:
  • History suggests such power moves provoke resistance or rebellion.
  • Venezuela's future under U.S. sway or puppet leadership is highly uncertain (13:26).
  • U.S. actions could fracture transatlantic alliances (especially if targeting Greenland/Denmark).
    • Quote (Greg Ip):

      “I think that the United States going after Greenland risks a serious rupture with all of Europe, which could be very negative for transatlantic security...” (13:59)

  • Moral and Legal Legitimacy:
    Parallels to actions by Russia/China erode U.S. credibility (15:39–15:52).

7. Does Resource Grab Equal Power in the 21st Century?

• Greg Ip’s Skepticism:
  Today’s real wealth comes not from resources, but technology. “Where is American wealth coming from? ...technology, technology, technology.” (14:51)
• Strategic Misalignment:
  Shifting U.S. focus to resource grabs may divert from core 21st-century challenges (esp. contest with China) (14:51–15:39).

8. What’s Next Under the Donroe Doctrine?

• Potential Flashpoints:
  Trump continues to “talk about Panama,” “talk about Greenland,” and, according to Marco Rubio, Cuba should “watch its back” (16:21).
• Cuba and Hemisphere-wide Reactions:
  Latin American leaders see U.S. moves as intimidation and subjugation (16:46).
  • Quote (Cuba):

    “...intimidate and subjugate the governments of Latin America.” (16:46)

• Greg Ip’s Closing Thought:

  “We do not yet have clarity on what it all means. But I think that we should take Trump at his word that hemispheric economic interests will now be front and center...” (17:01)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [01:08] Donald Trump:
  “The oil companies are going to go in, they're going to spend money. We're going to take back the oil that, frankly, we should have taken back a long time ago.”

• [05:50] Donald Trump:
  “We have to have Greenland. It's not a question of, do you think we can do without it? We can't, frankly. Canada should be the 51st state, okay? It really should.”

• [11:01] Greg Ip:
  “I don't know that anybody else in the broader foreign policy sphere or the Republican Party thinks is that important to acquire Greenland. That kind of started with Trump.”

• [13:59] Greg Ip:
  “I think that the United States going after Greenland risks a serious rupture with all of Europe, which could be very negative for transatlantic security in general and economic relations in the long run.”

• [14:51] Greg Ip:
  “The drivers of wealth today are not natural resources. Countries and economies that depend on natural resources, on the whole, are not doing that well. ...it's technology, technology, technology. ...the competition for preeminence in technology coming from ... China.”

• [17:01] Greg Ip:
  “We do not yet have clarity on what it all means. But I think that we should take Trump at his word that hemispheric economic interests will now be front and center in how the United States runs foreign policy, at least as long as he's president.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:05–01:37 — Setting up the contrast: Trump’s candid pursuit of resources
• 03:20–04:36 — Historical review of U.S. foreign policy (Cold War, post-Cold War)
• 04:48–05:39 — How Trumpian policy has played out (Ukraine, economic interests)
• 05:50–06:05 — Trump's public pronouncements on new territorial ambitions
• 07:09–08:34 — Spheres of influence, Monroe Doctrine refresher
• 10:40–11:44 — How the Donroe Doctrine differs from past strategies
• 12:07–13:26 — Weighing the pros and cons of Trump's strategy
• 13:59–14:18 — Risks of rupturing alliances (Greenland/Denmark)
• 14:51–15:39 — Are resources still the basis of power?
• 15:39–16:13 — Implications for global norms (Russia/China)
• 16:21–17:01 — What and where next? Potential hotspots and regional fears

Tone & Style

• Direct, analytical, and historically grounded—buoyed by Greg Ip's depth and dry wit.
• Occasional levity: e.g., banter about presidential trivia (11:44–11:47) or Ryan’s social studies teacher.
• Candid with uncertainties: Recognizing the “pivotal moment” and unpredictable outcomes for U.S., allies, and neighbors.

Conclusion

The emergence of Trump’s "Donroe Doctrine" signals a significant, values-to-interests turn in U.S. foreign policy. By prioritizing direct economic gain and territorial expansion, Trump dismisses longstanding diplomatic frameworks. This raises profound questions—on alliances, hemispheric stability, American soft power, and even on whether material resources are the currency of global influence in a technological age. As the new doctrine unfolds, the world watches to see how America's neighbors and rivals respond to the shifting winds of power.