The current US President, Donald Trump, has adeptly tapped into American nationalism, perhaps more than anyone in recent memory. What distinguishes him is his strategic use of national humiliation as an emotional lever in politics. While any presidential hopeful can promote a positive image of their country, Trump has mastered the art of casting his nation in a negative light.
Trump’s unwavering narrative suggests that the issues plaguing America—such as trade deficits, job losses, illegal immigration, crime, and even drug addiction—stem from intentional actions by other nations. The truly humiliating aspect is that American politicians have allowed this to happen.
Many Americans resonate with Trump’s assertion that their country’s challenges can be addressed by reclaiming its international standing. They view this nationalist perspective as a necessary redress to the “globalist” foreign policies that have prevailed since the end of World War II.
However, citizens of other nations also harbor sentiments of national pride and yearn for independence from foreign control. This should be apparent, yet Trump seems to overlook the potency of nationalism in other countries even as he capitalizes on it at home. This oversight complicates his foreign policy endeavors.
How Canadians have rallied against Trump
Consider Canada as a case in point.
When Trump won re-election in November 2024, it appeared likely that Canada would soon have a prime minister more aligned with him than Justin Trudeau. The Liberal Party suffered due to Trudeau’s declining popularity, paving the way for the populist Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to potentially seize power in the upcoming election.
In preparation for a trade conflict with Canada, Trump could have directed his ire towards the waning Liberal government. Instead, he spent months deriding Canada’s national identity, frequently suggesting that Canada should become the “51st state” of the US and referring to Trudeau as its “governor.”
While Americans may dismiss Trump’s comments about annexing Canada as humor, Canadians take it seriously. Regardless of whether Trump would ever attempt an annexation, his rhetoric is a direct assault on Canadian sovereignty, something no self-respecting nation can simply ignore.
An Angus Reid poll revealed that the percentage of people claiming a “deep emotional attachment” to Canada surged from 49% to 59% between December 2024 and February 2025. This growing emotional connection is evident in various expressions, from “buy Canadian” initiatives to crowds booing the US national anthem at hockey matches.
The Liberals, now led by Mark Carney, are experiencing a notable resurgence in the polls.
According to another Angus Reid poll, the Liberal voting intention skyrocketed from 16% in December to 42% currently, placing them ahead of the Conservatives, who stand at 37%. Some speculate a snap election may be imminent.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has sometimes drawn comparisons to Trump, has spearheaded a vigorous pro-Canadian response to American tariffs, bolstering his re-election prospects.
Trump’s supporters often argue that his unpredictable bravado is merely a negotiating tactic, intended to coerce others into accepting more favorable terms. If that’s the case, this approach seems to be backfiring in Canada.
Trade wars necessitate sacrifices, requiring citizens to pay higher prices to shield their nation’s industries. Canadians appear more willing to make such sacrifices than Americans, who are mostly puzzled about how their friendly neighbor has suddenly been recast as an adversary.
The importance of national identity
Other nations have similarly demonstrated their resilience, especially when their national identities are under threat.
Trump’s persistent expressions of interest in acquiring another country’s territory, such as Greenland—a self-governing territory under Danish jurisdiction—may be more offensive than his threats to seize Panama. Each rejection from the Greenlanders, Danes, and Panamanians chips away at his credibility.
Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix Foto/AP
Trump speaks of the territories of other nations as if they were mere “real estate”, even proposing that the US should “redevelop” Gaza after displacing the Palestinians.
Yet, sovereign land is anything but real estate. In a world of nation-states defined by territory, even minimally inhabited lands carry “sacred value.” This is particularly significant for populations striving for sovereignty over their lands.
“Sacred values” are elements that individuals regard as non-negotiable because they are intertwined with their identity and moral framework. Experts caution that attempting to exchange money for sacred values is profoundly disrespectful and may hinder rather than aid negotiations.
There’s a reason why governments rarely sell territories to other nations these days. While empires may have done so in the past, nations perceive their lands and their inhabitants as integral and non-transferable.
Trump evidently fails to grasp this notion. He has exhibited a lack of empathy towards Ukraine, a nation whose territory has been overtly invaded. He has accused Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy of wanting to prolong the conflict to continue benefiting from US aid, as though the actual fight for Ukraine’s survival were merely about money.
Trump’s disdain for Ukraine, Canada, Greenland, Gaza, Denmark, and Panama resonates far beyond these regions. It indicates that his variant of American nationalism accommodates no regard for the national aspirations or sovereignty of others.
This attitude will thwart the negotiations Trump desires, as trust in an unstable, imperial power to uphold agreements is lacking. While reducing dependence on the US may be painful for many nations, surrendering their national dignity would be far more detrimental.
