Both Emmanuel Macron and Justin Trudeau have tried hard to establish a personal relationship with Donald Trump, their theory being that flattery would open Donald's brain. But both men have learned that Donald doesn't have an open brain. All he has is an ego that looks after his own needs.Trump shook each man's hand and showed him to the exit. Macron and Trudeau now know that they cannot deal with Trump. Rick Noack writes in the Washington Post:
Both Macron and Trudeau voiced especially harsh criticism of Trump on Thursday, even though other leaders who have been more at odds with Trump remained somewhat less vocal. Both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May sent their spokespeople to condemn the tariffs, rather than make a personal statement.
Meanwhile, Macron ominously warned that “economic nationalism leads to war. This is exactly what happened in the 1930s.” His World War II reference could hardly have been less veiled. Trudeau similarly referred to dark times of history in his response, saying: “These tariffs are an affront to the long-standing security partnership between Canada and the United States, and in particular, to the thousands of Canadians who have fought and died alongside American comrades-in-arms.”
Nothing they said penetrated Trump's skull. As Edith Bunker once said while gazing at Archie's pate, "Grass don't grow through concrete." Others in Europe have had no illusions about Trump. European Council President Donald Tusk has always had Trump's number:
At a summit in mid-May, European Council President Donald Tusk. . . lashed out at Trump over his policies regarding Iran, Gaza, trade tariffs and North Korea.
“Looking at the latest decisions of Donald Trump, someone could even think: With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Tusk said. “But, frankly speaking, Europe should be grateful by President Trump. Because, thanks to him, we got rid of all the illusions. He has made us realize that if you need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of your arm.”
It's true that Europe and Canada need the United States. But they don't need Trump. Justin seems to have concluded that dealing with Trump is a dead end:
At least Trudeau already appears to be preparing for a time after him. “This is not about the American people,” he wrote on Twitter Thursday. “We have to believe that at some point their common sense will prevail. But we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration.”
After Robert Mueller completes his task, perhaps Americans will to come to the same conclusion.
Image: The Hill
16 comments:
I dont wish to belittle the impact of Trumph on the relations with our neighbors and ourselves but I see so many similarities in Rob Fraud's rhetoric that I fear for Ontario if he gains power, Owen. Promises, promises, promises ..... cut, cut, cut ...... lie after lie after lie ..... sound familiar?
It sounds all too familiar, Rural. Ford claims he's released a fully costed platform and hasn't broken his promise. He lies without the trace of a blush.
A fine post. Sums up Trump and his inability to listen or compromise, having listened to and believed fairy tales decades ago. The US has apparently pulled a sheet over its head, hidden itself and told everyone else to go away. They want to stew in their own juice and feel sorry for themselves. They're in a sulk.
It gives the rest of the world time to organize without US interference. First item on the agenda? A new reserve currency and implementation forced on banks to get it electronically integrated. Then listen to US howling as their dollarpl printing machine runs out of ink. Beware backstabbing from May's Brits along the way, always eager to be the supreme little doggie for America.
BM
Trump is in it for himself and money talks. The Chinese and Russians understand this well. Trump's threats against the Chinese magically disappear following Chinese investment in Trump's business ventures or trade marks granted to Ivanka's business. The Russians, of course, just have to remind Trump of the consequences of solid evidence of money laundering coming into Mueller's hands.
Cap
When the world's standard turns out to be something different than the U.S. Dollar, there willbe an earthquake south of the border, BM. Perhaps that will force Americans to look somewhere else other than their own navels.
The Russians and the Chinese know how to deal with grifters, Cap. The Russians, in particular, have had Trump's number for a long time.
At the same time, we have to acknowledge that the Chinese also pegged their Yen lower in order to enable their huge export business. We don't see a significant downward in the cost of living, even if most of our "stuff" comes to our shows on a very large boat. It's just that Canadian and other corporations are hauling in huge profits from which to pay enormous compensation to their senior managers and the shareholders are reaping a good ROI as the banks still give the rest of less than 1% on our money (unless we scream and holler and threaten to move to the Credit Union).
I've come to the conclusion that not many have clean hands any more (if they ever did).
I think you're right, Lulymay. It's all about feathering your own nest -- and claiming it's good public policy.
The saddest reality is that we won't be going back. Until we go all the way back.
This will get nastier before it gets better, Deacon. And my hunch is that it will only get better when Trump is gone.
Things will get marginally better then but it will never again be what it was. And a few years from now things will be worse than they have been since medieval times. And some years past that human history will effectively be over.
That's pretty dark, Deacon. But, given who Trump is -- and what he represents -- perhaps it's justified. A lot depends on how long he hangs around.
Sadly, very little depends on how long Trump hangs around. He's an unholy irritant right now but in terms of the big picture he's only an accelerant.
I agree, Deacon. Trump's no builder. He destroys whatever is in his path. On the international stage, he's an arsonist.
In some ways.. Deacon is right.. we are now in the era of political scumbaggery.. its the new field of opportunity and lobbyists. We here at home don't understand how they can do it.. the gladhanding, the full of of horseshite statements, the attendance at church of the living jeebuzz (pretend evangelicism), the talkytalk with local media, the various fatuous n sundry public moments & smiling for lazy mainstream media interviews or panels.. gee it must be fun in the caucus war rooms, rehearsing talking points dreamed up by the guys in short pants. I f life was just about making money, I would go into real estate & sacrifice nights and weekends.. or get truly stupid and enter 'politics' .. but then I would have to decide what team I would play for.. what sweater I would wear.. would I play for the grifters or the thuggies or the environmental activists.. or the progressive liars .. well you get my drift ..
That's precisely the point, sal. Politics is no longer about public service. It's about whose team jersey you wear.
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