Yesterday, the president of the European Commission met with Donald Trump. Jean-Claude Juncker had an unenviable task -- trying to convince Trump that the European Union is a good idea. Andrew Hammond writes:
At the heart of this diplomatic discord is Mr. Trump’s disdain for the European Union, which goes significantly beyond that of any president since the bloc’s establishment. While he has concerns with Europe’s low levels of defence spending vis-a-vis Washington, it is on the economic front that the Brussels-based club is the deepest source of frustration for him with its large goods surplus with the United States.
For Trump, everything is about the money. He recently tweeted:
“Tariffs are the greatest! Either a country which has treated the United States unfairly on Trade negotiates a fair deal, or it gets hit with Tariffs. It’s as simple as that – and everybody’s talking. Remember, we are the ‘piggy bank’ that’s being robbed.”
His objective is clear:
This latest tweet builds on remarks last week from Mr. Trump when he remarkably declared, “I think the EU is a foe, what they do to us [the United States] in trade.” While some have dismissed this remark as just another spur-of-the-moment presidential outburst, Anthony Gardner – who served as U.S. ambassador to the European Union under Barack Obama – has warned that, “Europe wake-up; the U.S. wants to break-up the EU. Remember Belgium’s motto L’Union Fait la Force (Unity creates strength).”
Trump is on the side of the side of the Brexiteers, claiming -- while visiting Theresa May -- that Boris Johnson would make a "great" prime minister. A friend of mine calls Trump a weapon of mass destruction.
Children break things. Adults build them. Mr. Trump likes to break things.
Image: Pinterest
8 comments:
Some things need to be broken to make way for improvements. By design or by accident, Trump may break up the rotten foundation of the contemporary global trading system. However, he's unlikely to replace it with something that distributes resources more equitably.
What distinguishes Trump is the malice he brings to his destruction. He and his party delight in inflicting suffering on the less fortunate, cutting their access to food, healthcare and rewarding jobs. They relish separating thousands of asylum-seeking children from their parents, with no plan to ever reunite these families. They laugh as infants "defend" themselves in courts and administrative tribunals. And their misogyny, homophobia and bigotry is poisoning the nation. The main problem with Republicans is the outright malice with which they act on behalf of their rich donors. I can't think of even one of their policies that's intended to improve the general welfare.
Cap
Trump just caved. He found out a trade war is easy to lose.
Nothing lasts forever, Cap. The old will eventually give way to the new. But, if malice is behind the transition, nothing good will come of it.
I hope you're right, rumley. But Trump's rhetoric makes me uneasy. I'm not sure he's learned that lesson.
Now that all the hot takes are over, and intelligent analysis is happening, it's become clear that Junker gave the Mango Hued Shitgibbon a big box of nothing, wrapped up in pretty paper, ribbon and a bow,
and the Mango Hued Shitgibbon thought it was the "bigliest best deal ever!!!!!"
Junker Kim il Jong-ed him.
No big surprise, the "Art of the Deal" Mango Hued Shitgibbon paid over $250,000 to get laid twice. Some dealmaker.
"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." -- George Orwell, "1984"
“Just remember, what you’re seeing and what you’re reading is not what’s happening.” -- Donald Trump, VFW Speech, July 24, 2018
If you pay attention to what you see and hear, Jay, it's abundantly apparent that the Master of the Deal "doesn't know anythng." That is David Cay Johnston's opinion.
It's been pretty clear, for a long time, that the Rethug's and their base are the "Know Nothing" Party and are proud of their ignorance. Treason Twitler was inevitable, allng with "Gym" Jordan, etc.
I'm just LMFAO that the EU's Junker Kim il Jong-ed The Mango Hued Shitgibbon and the Deplorables with a big bag of nothing.
The Con Man Par Excellence is the perfect mark, Jay. Interesting, isn't it?
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