What is the Monroe Doctrine? And why does it matter?

Where did it come from?

In 1823, President James Monroe articulated a new foreign policy intended to oppose European colonialism and interference in the Western Hemisphere of the world and specifically the independent Americas. It demanded a commitment of non-interference from European powers and the U.S. made an equal promise to stay out of European affairs.

Where you may have seen it in history...

The Monroe Doctrine has been invoked sporadically over the nearly two decades since its establishment. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt expanded the policy with a more aggressive stance justifying United States intervention in the affairs of other countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy symbolically invoked the policy symbolically in the face of Russian aggression during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Monroe Doctrine Today

In the 2025 National Security Strategy, the Trump Administration reasserts the relevancy of the Monroe Doctrine as a part of its security plan.

In the wake of the United States' strike on Venezuela and detainment of the country's leader, the President cited the Monroe Doctrine as justification for the operation.

MAKING TARIFFS MAKE SENSE

A tariff is a tax that a country places on imported goods, making them more expensive. This tax is paid by the company importing the goods, which may then pass the extra cost on to consumers through higher prices. Tariffs are used by governments to raise money and to protect their domestic industries from foreign competition by making imports less attractive to buyers.

How Tariffs Work

When a foreign product enters a country, the importer pays the tariff to the government, increasing the total cost of the product.

Purpose of Tariffs

• Revenue: To generate income for the government (and the country).

• Protection: To protect domestic industries by making imported goods more expensive and less competitive, encouraging consumers to buy domestically produced goods instead.

  
  

For example, many tech companies use minimalistic designs on their websites. Apple is a prime example, showcasing products with clean backgrounds and simple layouts. This approach not only looks modern but also makes it easy for users to find what they need.

As a Tax

A tariff is a tax on products that cross national borders, such as a tax on imported cars or steel.

What to expect.

• Increase in operational costs for businesses.

• Increase in prices for consumers.