Michael Harris writes that the ghost of King George III stalks the White House. Soon he will float into Quebec:
King George III is in the Oval Office and he’s not playing cards. You know, Old Georgie? The mad 18th century British monarch famous for his blue urine and losing America on his watch.
Trump’s latest insanity is to put a ruinous tariff on steel and aluminum imports — 25 percent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum. And not just on anyone, but on Canada, Mexico and the European Union. America’s friends, allies and key trading partners — countries Ronald Reagan used to call “kin.”
Next up? The Chinese.
Economist Paul Krugman called Trump the "Siberian Candidate." Economist Jeffrey Sachs writes that "Trump may be a “Manchurian Candidate” who is waging a 'psychopath’s trade war' with his closest allies to destroy the U.S."
The renowned Columbia University professor essentially accused Trump of exhibiting the kind of erratic behaviour that usually calls for serious quiet time and counselling.
It is said of King George III that he talked incessantly until he foamed at the mouth. So far, Trump just speaks out of both sides of his mouth, in a language few English speakers are familiar with. Some days, it sounds a lot like mania.
So, when what is now being called The G6 Plus One meet in La Mabaie, the leaders who Trump just gut punched will have to decide what to do with him. That will not be an easy task. After all, under Trump, the world is in chaos:
Foreign companies sanctioned one day, embraced the next, traduced the day after that.
Trade wars announced, called off, possibly back on again, and finally imposed — but for who knows how long.
Summits with dictators agreed to, cancelled, revisited, and re-announced.
And, whatever rules have been agreed to, he tears up.
Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if Trump begs off coming to the meeting, claiming he has more important things to do -- like preparing for his meeting with Kim Jung Un. But, if he does put in an appearance, it will be interesting to see what happens.
Image: The New Statesman
2 comments:
Harris isn't the only one suggesting Trump is heading into some sort of mental collapse. Congressional Republicans are becoming deeply worried about his irrationality. Is this Article 25 time for DJT?
I don't know if there are enough Republicans in congress to take him out, Mound. But there might be enough of them in his cabinet to do the job.
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