<2>Global Health in a New Era of US Extraction: A Threat to International Cooperation
<3>The Rise of Extractive Policies Under Trump’s America First Agenda
The year 2025 marked a devastating blow to global health, but 2026 is witnessing a shift towards a new era of extractive policies. At the core of US President Donald Trump’s America First global health policy is the principle of extraction. This approach prioritizes the acquisition of natural resources over international cooperation and collective well-being.
<3>The Motivations Behind Trump’s Actions
President Trump’s motivations for capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on 3 January 2026, were clear: control of oil wealth. This move is part of a broader strategy to secure access to rare earth minerals, which are essential for the development of artificial intelligence technologies. Trump’s ambitions to colonise Greenland are no different, as he and his billionaire supporters seek to exploit the island’s natural resources.
<3>The Playbook Established in Ukraine
Trump’s actions in Greenland follow the playbook established in Ukraine. As part of the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, the US committed to the defence and reconstruction of Ukraine in exchange for access to minerals, oil, and gas. This approach