TL;DR: U.S. Foreign Policy Shift and Its Impact on Entrepreneurs
The U.S. has shifted from promoting democracy to openly asserting power, highlighted by the January 3, 2026, raid in Venezuela. This policy pivot disrupts global trade, power dynamics, and economic systems, requiring entrepreneurs to adapt.
• Currency diversification is crucial: Nations are moving away from the U.S. dollar, using alternatives like China's yuan.
• Watch for market changes: U.S. influence could reshape export/import opportunities, particularly in Latin America.
• Geopolitics matter more than ever: Entrepreneurs should monitor foreign policies and diversify supply chains for resilience.
Prepare for a fragmented global market, and align your business strategy to thrive amid these geopolitical changes. Stay informed and agile.
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The United States made global headlines as it abandoned decades of diplomatic pretense in its foreign policy, replacing the long-held narrative of promoting democracy with an unabashed assertion of power. For entrepreneurs and global business leaders, this shift reflects a need to rethink strategies for navigating international markets, especially as new power dynamics and economic systems emerge.
What made January 3, 2026, a game changer?
On January 3, 2026, U.S. military helicopters launched a coordinated raid in Caracas, Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro in a brazen show of force. The operation, coined by former President Donald Trump as part of the newly unveiled “Donroe Doctrine,” signaled a dramatic departure from the United States’ historical justification of interventions under the guise of democracy promotion. This move openly reasserted hemispheric dominance, stirring regional and global reverberations.
The captured Venezuelan president’s extradition to the U.S. marked the erosion of the so-called “rules-based international order” in favor of raw assertion of power. China’s growing involvement with Venezuela’s oil exports, conducted in yuan rather than dollars, was viewed by the U.S. as a direct challenge to its economic dominance. The operation also served as a warning to other nations pursuing de-dollarization, a shift that is increasingly becoming inevitable with the rise of alternate currency systems like BRICS and China’s CIPS. The question for savvy business leaders is: how does this geopolitical tectonic shift impact global trade and startup ecosystems?
Why is abandoning pretense significant for entrepreneurs and startups?
When nations reshape their national strategies, the ripple effects extend far beyond politics. Here’s how this scenario affects founders, especially those in global markets:
- Shifting global currency dependencies: With Venezuela using yuan for oil sales and China spearheading blockchain-driven alternatives to SWIFT, founders managing international transactions must now consider currency diversification. Ignoring these signals could sacrifice cost efficiency in an increasingly multi-polar trading environment.
- Uncertain export/import markets: Latin America’s access to global capital markets might face shifts if U.S. influence intensifies, limiting opportunities for international businesses operating in the region.
- An end to soft diplomacy: Entrepreneurs dealing with contracts in politically sensitive regions may experience decreased support for negotiations or development aid diplomacy traditionally tied to the U.S.
What fueled the U.S.’s bold shift in Venezuela?
For context, let’s dive briefly into the economic and geopolitical factors at play:
- Protecting the U.S. dollar: Venezuela had been bypassing the petrodollar system since 2018 by trading oil in yuan. As more nations explore “de-dollarization,” the United States views such moves as existential threats to its global economic dominance. Examples like Libya and Iraq show a historical pattern of which this Venezuela raid becomes the latest chapter.
- Dominating regional politics: The Trump administration’s new “Donroe Doctrine” relinquished any pretense of multilateralism, strengthening U.S. dominance in Latin America while discouraging budding alliances with China and BRICS nations.
- Economic necessity: With a $38 trillion national debt and $970 billion in yearly interest payments, preserving dollar-based transactions remains vital to maintaining America’s fiscal sustainability and geopolitical leverage.
The bluntness of this action, however, changes how global competition unfolds. The world could fragment into increasingly defined spheres of influence, affecting cross-border trade strategies fundamentally. Entrepreneurs must prepare for unpredictable trade restrictions and new regulations across hemispheres.
How entrepreneurs can adapt to power shifts
For entrepreneurial success amid changing geopolitics, businesses must create resilient strategies that future-proof their ventures. Here are actionable recommendations:
1. Reassess cross-border payment systems
As countries increasingly adopt alternate payment systems like the yuan-based CIPS, relying solely on traditional SWIFT systems could backfire. Diversify with multi-currency accounts to prep for likely changes in global trade flows.
2. Embrace regional diversity
Businesses should diversify supply chains and partnerships into multiple geopolitical zones to decrease reliance on any single region or political sphere. Keep options flexible by sourcing from different countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
3. Monitor foreign policy patterns
Keep an eye on events like U.S. visa sanctions, trade agreements, or embargo extensions. Understanding the impact of policies such as the updated Monroe Doctrine could guide expansion plans, especially into Latin America, where rising tensions may disrupt operations.
Real example: Venezuela’s oil as a power play
Venezuela’s decision to sell its oil in yuan reshaped regional dynamics, showcasing the pivotal role alternative reserves increasingly play in the modern economy. If your startup works in energy tech, this push against U.S. dollar hegemony is worth studying for emerging opportunities.
To stay ahead in uncertain markets, every founder must compute how macro-financial policies tie directly into their revenue path. Missing these global signals could leave your startup vulnerable to economic blind spots and avoidable losses.
Conclusion: Bold moves demand bold preparation
The U.S.’s bold pivot reflects a fractured system where global businesses must adapt to shocks faster than before. For founders, especially those in internationally exposed sectors, this serves as a stark reminder: geopolitics and macroeconomics are no longer distant considerations. They are cornerstones of strategy.
Staying informed, diversifying financial instruments, and being flexible with supplier geography may just become the top skills modern founders need. It’s not just about capturing market shares anymore, it’s also about doing so in a world where the rules are clearly changing.
Prepare to steer confidently through this geopolitical transformation. The narrative may have changed, but adaptable founders will always find the opportunity to thrive.
FAQ on the U.S. Policy Shift and Geopolitical Impact of 2026
How did the U.S. reshape its foreign policy on January 3, 2026?
On January 3, 2026, the U.S. abandoned its previous narrative of promoting democracy and laws in international relations. The dramatic military operation in Caracas, Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro was captured, exemplified this shift. Dubbed the "Donroe Doctrine" by former U.S. President Donald Trump, this act was a clear display of U.S. power, refocusing its foreign policy on asserting dominance in the Western Hemisphere. The operation also served as a reaction to Venezuela's increasing economic collaborations with China, including oil trade in yuan, which challenged the U.S. dollar hegemony. Read the full analysis on Silicon Canals
What does this mean for U.S.-China relations?
The U.S. intervention in Venezuela directly responded to China's economic foothold in Latin America, particularly its oil dealings with Venezuela in yuan and growing trade investments. This could lead to heightened tensions between the two powers as it reflects a warning against China's attempt to disrupt the U.S.'s established economic order. With BRICS nations and alternatives to traditional systems like SWIFT gaining prominence, the world's shift toward economic multipolarity only fuels future conflicts. Explore geopolitical insights from The New Statesman.
Why is the focus on Venezuela so significant?
Venezuela’s actions of trading oil in yuan and aligning with BRICS nations represented a direct challenge to the U.S.'s petrodollar system. Historically, the U.S. has intervened when nations bypass the dollar in global transactions, as seen in Iraq and Libya. The Maduro capture was both a power assertion by the U.S. and a cautionary tale for other nations considering “de-dollarization.” Venezuela’s huge oil reserves further increased its strategic value in the global energy market. Understand more about the Petrodollar System from Wikipedia.
How should entrepreneurs adapt to this geopolitical shift?
Entrepreneurs involved in global trade or depending on resources from politically unstable regions must diversify their financial and supply chain strategies. For instance:
- Consider adopting multi-currency payment systems to mitigate risks from shifting currency dominances like the yuan-CIPS system replacing SWIFT.
- Diversify supply lines to reduce reliance on any single geopolitical region.
- Stay informed on foreign policy patterns, such as U.S. sanctions or shifts in trade agreements.
By preparing proactively, businesses can avoid losses linked to sudden economic or political shifts.
What is the Donroe Doctrine, and how does it differ from the Monroe Doctrine?
The Donroe Doctrine builds upon the Monroe Doctrine’s 19th-century focus on preventing foreign interference within the Americas. However, under Trump’s redefinition, it expanded from deterrence to active, unapologetic domination of the Western Hemisphere. The emphasis on direct U.S. intervention in Latin America reflects a blunt use of power, discarding multilaterism or pretense. Delve deeper into the Monroe Doctrine's evolution with Fortune.
How does currency de-dollarization shape global business?
De-dollarization, the shift away from the U.S. dollar as the primary global reserve currency, is transforming international business. As illustrated in Venezuela, global commerce is increasingly transitioning to alternatives such as BRICS-backed currencies or China’s yuan. Businesses must anticipate fluctuations caused by new financial systems replacing dollar-denominated transactions and adapt by opening multi-currency accounts or leveraging decentralized financial platforms. Failure to respond to this trend can lead to inefficiencies in operations, upward costs in global trade, and missed opportunities.
Why did Venezuela’s economic policies become a focal point?
Since 2018, Venezuela has openly traded its oil in yuan, bypassing the U.S. dollar. This shift marked a sharp deviation from reliance on the petrodollar system, garnering attention from policymakers concerned about weakening the dollar’s global dominance. Additionally, Venezuela’s integration into BRICS trade systems posed a potential economic threat to the U.S., making its political and economic direction a significant point of contention. Explore Venezuela's oil market policies on Venezuelanalysis.
What parallels exist between past U.S. interventions and the Venezuela raid?
The U.S. has a long history of intervening when its strategic or economic dominance is challenged, often using democracy promotion as justification. For example, interventions in Iraq (2003) and Libya (2011) were partially motivated by moves to bypass the petrodollar. However, the Venezuela raid differs in its direct, unapologetically assertive approach, abandoning prior pretenses and signaling a new foreign policy doctrine. Understand U.S. intervention trends from historical perspectives on CSMonitor.
How could the global economy fragment further?
The U.S. raid on Venezuela may accelerate the formation of defined economic spheres, with countries like China and Russia solidifying influence in their regions. This will likely lead to regionalized trade systems, new financial instruments independent of U.S. control, and unpredictable trade regulations. Businesses operating across multiple regions must prepare for these shifts by staying flexible geographically and financially.
What actions can founders take to navigate modern geopolitics?
Founders must stay resilient by embracing strategies like:
- Currency Diversification: Use financial systems accommodating alternate payments like yuan and BRICS-backed currencies.
- Regional Diversity: Keep supply chains spread across Europe, Asia, and the Americas to reduce geopolitical reliance.
- Policy Tracking: Monitor sanctions, trade agreements, and political discourse, especially involving regions like Latin America or Asia-Pacific.
This kind of preparation ensures sustained growth amidst the evolving global rulebook.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.