Zheng Yongnian on the 'Donroe Doctrine': How Trump's Latin America Strategy Reshapes the World

Is the global order as we know it ending? Zheng Yongnian, a prominent political scientist and adviser to the Chinese government, believes Donald Trump's pivot to Latin America isn't just a regional policy—it's a fundamental shift in the global playbook. As of January 11, 2026, the geopolitical ripples from this strategy are starting to hit every major capital.

Trump's Donroe Doctrine and the Battle for Venezuela

In his third interview for the Open Questions series, Zheng discusses the implications of the so-called 'Donroe Doctrine.' According to Reuters, the US has significantly intensified its pressure on Venezuela, signaling a return to a more aggressive sphere-of-influence politics. Zheng notes that Trump's warnings to rival powers in the region aren't just rhetoric; they're a deliberate effort to re-establish American dominance in its own hemisphere.

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This pivot suggests that the era of universal globalism is being replaced by regional hegemony. Zheng suggests that the US move to reclaim its 'backyard' forces other global players, including China and Russia, to rethink their presence in the Western Hemisphere, potentially leading to a more fragmented and volatile international environment.

The Emerging World Order: A Chinese Perspective

As an adviser focused on China's foreign relations, Zheng's analysis carries significant weight. He warns that while the US focuses on Venezuela, the rest of the world is watching closely. The 'Donroe Doctrine' could set a precedent for other nations to assert similar control over their respective regions, effectively ending the single, unified world order that has existed since the end of the Cold War.