Nearly 200 years ago, James Monroe declared that the U.S. would not look kindly upon colonizing powers outside of the Americas from gaining power over independed nations in the Americas, lest their actions be taken as “the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States”.
So, how’s that going these days?
Perhaps a future Presidential administration can bring back that sentiment from the Monroe Doctrine, and then double down.
Perhaps…
China offers Third and Second World countries economic development, and American threatens them with invasion and economic sanctions.
And you find it odd that China is winning the contest for hearts and minds?