Trump is forging ahead with a new era of imperialism not seen since McKinley

Donald Trump's surprising references to the 25th United States president William McKinley (1897-1901) in his inaugural speech look more and more significant. Trump's territorial claims on Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal confirm this, as does his commitment to tariffs against US allies and foes. McKinley oversaw an aggressive expansion of the US to Cuba, Hawaii and the Philippines during his war with Spain, in addition to imposing large tariffs on trading partners. As part of the "Gilded Age" from 1860-1900, McKinley's rule was marked by unparalleled political cronyism and corruption at home, and self-defeating tariffs, trade wars and wars…