Good for Putin! Trump's 'America' deserves everything it's getting.
1
While I do not believe Europeans will ever really trust Putin; it has become impossible to trust Trump on anything. When all you ever get are threats, insults, and general lunacy from the White House how can anyone be surprised that while Putin is a thug; at least he is a stable thug. You know what you are dealing with. Trump on the other hand is completely a basket case of instability.
3
Evidently pivoting toward Russia must have its advantages if Europe would do so in retaliation over the US tariffs. Yet the Left continues to demonize Putin and foam at the mouth over Russian collusion. Where will that get us except to isolate us further from Europe as it warms up to Russia? Ever since his campaign began, Trump has been talking about the benefits of keeping the lines of communication with Russia open. Putin, too, has kept that possibility open. The diplomatic balance is always changing, but it is foolish to assume that the interests of America and Russia are always at odds. The Europeans are very practical and are probably looking to Russia as another market for its goods. Why shouldn’t we do the same? We certainly shouldn’t cave in to Europe on tariffs just because we’re afraid of growing Russian influence there. Rather, we should beat Europe to the punch by strengthening our own ties with Russia instead of just giving in to exaggerated fear which makes us the odd man out.
As to Northstream: some Years ago Russia stopped ther gas- and oil delivey to Ukraine because they had not payed the bill for their received supplies. (The Ukraine simply had not the money) . Another fact is the animosity existing in Ukraine and Poland against Russia. That poses a lack of trustworthines in the reliability of the pipelines running across these 2 countries. Understandably Russia looks for alternatives.
2
Trump is aligned with many EU leaders, the countries lead by conservatives, which now include Italy, essentially all of eastern Europe, Austria, the UK, etc.
Trump has warm relations with May of the UK and hosted a state dinner for Macron of France and was graciously received by Poland.
The main beef are:
-the proposed tariffs, to correct a tariff and trade imbalance mainly with Germany. The impact on France and the UK cannot be so great.
-the cancellation of the Iran deal and the lost business opportunities for Europe because of it. But the EU should not have traded with Iran in the first place, our ally Japan for example, did not rush into Iran as the EU did; and the security of our close ally Israel which has been repeatedly and still is threatened by Iran cannot be compromised because €urope wants to make a €s in Iran.
Putin's opening will not amount to much. Russia is still after all blamed for the downing of the Malaysian flight over Ukraine and also the poisoning in London, which is far worse than a little trade war among a few friends.
There already was a trade war only the US always ceded the field. European duties on US cars are 10% while ours are only 2.5%. Until Trump the European countries never even paid their full NATO dues. What is this supposed to be? The Marshall Plan? But we’re supposed to be afraid of European retaliation. The article portrays Putin as a master manipulator as if Europe is suddenly going to pivot to Russia. When this thing is played out, Europe will end up making major concessions. The Democrats will still be unhappy because the only thing they trade on is their hatred of Trump.
Well, this was a very cheap victory for Putin. It cost him a couple of hackers, IT, and some data centers.
...while trump want to spend more on everything that has an expired '20th century' stamp on it: coal, oil, weapons (+ cuts 21st cent research).
One reason the USSR collapsed in the 1990-ies was that it bled itself to death in the arms-race with the US - it could not support its population with main goods + salaries. Putin was there + learnt a lesson.
Guess who is bleeding itself to death now with more wars, arms + less to spend at home?
2
It is as plain as the nose on your face. Trump is a Russian asset in the oval office. Per instructions from Putin, he is to weaken NATO (and by extension the United States) and to do that he is to sow discord with longtime US allies. He is to sow discord domestically. All this is done to create a vacuum to be filled by guess who? That's right, Russia.
1
"...dismissed as a tactician and opportunist..."? What planet are these people on? Russia has been 100% consistent in its moves, and with no cards to play a decade ago has basically reinstated itself as a credible, if less than cuddly, world power. It now has a long reach in areas where it had no traction at all before. Even the USSR had no such level of penetration in to Western politics, and Russia is now a regular, expected, player.
...And that's while pursuing policies which are way out of line with international norms. Meanwhile, EVERY move by the Trump administration seems to play so well for Russia's new found reach. Poisoning relationships, annoying allies, raising tariffs, environment, you name it, the US is systematically creating seriously negative issues with allies where there were none before.
Coincidence? Since when does the US make nothing but extremely bad calls, at all the strategic and trade nerve centers? As for the administration's engagement with global conservatives, check out the Trash List: The UK, which is now talking about a Doomsday scenario for Brexit and running out of food, pathetic, debt-ridden Italy, and the French far right opposition, among others. Everywhere support is given, a massive cluster of negatives appears.
It's Putin's Paradise, and if the tactics are aesthetically debatable, the opportunities are now increasing beyond measure - And it's all working, with a lot of help from an apparently senile, strangely inept, America.
4
I lived in a Germany and a Europe divided by a Wall and the Soviet Sektor, which is why I have no doubt that Vladimir Putin is taking every opportunity to fill the place left vacant on the world stage by the U.S. under this present administration.
Just how much Donald Trump is involved in consciously aiding Russia and China with the recent trade tariffs has yet to be determined, but one thing is certain -- this won't bring any more jobs back to the country, and this isn't 'winning'.
3
Trump is aligned with many EU leaders, the countries lead by conservatives, which now include Italy, essentially all of eastern Europe, Austria, the UK, etc.
Trump has warm relations with May of the UK and hosted a state dinner for Macron of France and was graciously received by Poland.
The main beef are:
-the proposed tariffs, to correct a tariff and trade imbalance mainly with Germany. The impact on France and the UK cannot be so great.
-the cancellation of the Iran deal and the lost business opportunities for Europe because of it. But the EU should not have traded with Iran in the first place, our ally Japan for example, did not rush into Iran as the EU did; and the security of our close ally Israel which has been repeatedly and still is threatened by Iran cannot be compromised because €urope wants to make a €s in Iran.
Putin's opening will not amount to much. Russia is still after all blamed for the downing of the Malaysian flight over Ukraine and also the poisoning in London, which is far worse than a little trade war among a few friends.
In order to get this piece by historical fact checkers, you all really need to fix that second paragraph.
You do, however, get credit for meeting your NYT Russia bashing quota for the week.
1
This post is specifically for non-Americans who are wondering why Trump is doing what he's doing. He is mentally ill, and his judgement is seriously impaired. Because this is a democracy, we have to go through a political and legal process to replace him. This will take time. Please be patient. We're very sorry this happened and the damage he is doing to America and our relationships. Please pray for us...
3
Mr. Putin has everything that Trump lacks.
I really don't believe that all of Europe is as crazy liberal as the leftist American media portrays. Surely there are many conservatives that oppose the Climate Change lunacy and the wacko Iran "Deal". And if they really are ALL "enraged", then we really don't want to be friends with anyway because they are nuts.
Europe is many countries, all of which are very different so sweeping judgements do not really apply. Are the Americans in California the same as those in Alabama?
All European countries will have their fair share of left and right, of skeptics and believers, of belligerents and peaceniks. Etc etc etc etc ad nauseam.
1
Going just as planned... Support a maniac despot with the backing of the Republicans. Allow the criminal in WH to destroy our global relationships, and step into the void. Well done, President Putin -- you know a self-serving grifter when you see on. No doubt you have the goods on him. Thanks Nunes, McCarthy, McConnell, and the rest of the silent (bought) Republicans.
9
Putin sure got his money's worth.
6
Comrade Trump is the perfect Russian - maybe Vlad will give him Russian citizenship as a gift.
6
I think they are selling red hats with MRGA on the Trump website.
6
Clearly, Messrs. Kurz, Salvini, Conte, Juncker, Macron are Putin’s confederates. Mueller should get right on it.
2
I don’t think we need to give Putin omniscient status here - no one could or can predict exactly how Trump would screw things up. But Putin is a skilled tactician able to seize opportunity in chaotic situations, and he has certainly engineered those wherever he can.
But come again.....aren’t Trump and Putin, by their own admission, on the phone a lot? Is it possible Putin is able to nudge Trump into self destructive policies? Or is he ORDERING Trump to make them, under threat of kompromat?
3
Re: suddenly in reach as the U.S. treats its allies as trade rivals.
Nothing "suddenly". The US long considered the EU as a trade partner to be pressured.
From the Guardian UK, 2014
" EU under pressure to allow GM food imports from US and Canada"
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/sep/05/eu-gm-food-imports-u...
Note: That was under the Obama administration
2
"Though careful not to gloat, Mr. Putin had to take great satisfaction in the recent turn of events. Often dismissed as a tactician and opportunist, he was looking more like a grand strategist as Mr. Trump bluntly rejected European demands for an exemption from what Brussels considers illegal and unilateral tariffs on steel and aluminum."
Is Trump really that dumb and Putin so smart? Another article on these same pages "Europe Asks an Exemption From Iran Sanctions" suggests that Trump's strategies are having their desired effect in terms of their impact on European commercial and banking interests. There is no reason to believe that Europe won't knuckle under in response to Trump on tariffs just as it has in regard to Iran.
There's a consistency to Trump's policies which echos his campaign tactics. We saw it at work in his dealings with North Korea as well, when all the Democrats were all predicting nuclear war. I think Putin appreciates that there are certain openings which often occur in international relations and diplomacy which he will certainly take advantage of, but that does not mean that he is blind to the end-game which seems to be well under Trump's ultimate control. As the President he has all the cards and is willing to play them. Any problem with that?
Even if he had not been helped by Putin to be elected, Donald Trump would have done what he has been doing about Iran and tarifs...and Putin would have taken the opportunity to try reconciliating with the EU. Donald Trump acts alone for his basic followers. In the short run, he is just isolating the US...for a sake he is the first not to understand.
2
That's exactly why he put Trump in power. He's trying to make the rest of Europe autocratic just like he's doing with Russia.
3
I am looking forward to the Le Carré novel that’s based on all this. Call it ‘The Putin Trilogy’.
Spoiler alert: it ends in a series of spectacular nuclear fireballs that consumes everywhere but Moscow, as the villain laughs megalomaniacally watching the dominoes fall around a matryoshka doll.
1
Le Carre is a lot more nuanced than that. He'd describe a villainy distributed on both sides of the house, for one thing, and the Americans would come off looking rather badly. What you're describing is more like a Tom Clancy novel.
We still don't know if there were any collusion between the Trump campaign and Putin's regime even though by whatever definition of collusion it seems the actions of Trump Jr. would fit. But we do know whatever Trump is doing that might seem irrational, impulsive, and arbitrary the net effect is Putin benefits. So collusion or not why is it the news media, fake or otherwise, have never raised the issue of a Manchurian president in the US?
1
Does the US Congress still exist? Can they actually realize they are an equal separate branch of govt power and get the US back to reality?
8
Is anyone surprised? Wouldn't any subject-matter expert have advised against the President's actions? (Larry Kudlow looked like a robot today; a very sad robot). ... Action A leads to response B; if history didn't teach us that, common sense should have. The brilliant tactician-in-Chief is the CIC of the armed forces. God help the USA.
3
Sees an opening, or was given an opening?
7
The world is moving forward. Under Trump, the United States is marching backward, relentlessly and self-destructively pursuing domestic and foreign policies and technologies that were tired and outmoded decades ago.
Of course our global competitors will step in to take advantage. The ultimate 'big winner' most likely will be China, which is forging ahead with massive investments in 21st century manufacturing and energy technologies... while Trump and his entourage deregulate and engage in futile efforts to resuscitate the dying and destructive industries of yesteryear, in pursuit of short term profits in coal and other extractive industries and the sale of inefficient behemoth gasoline-powered pickup trucks and SUVs.
Much of what we see here in the way of shifting diplomatic, trade and military alliances is the static and stray skip waves generated by the core program content of the Trump regime. The core program content is technology and economics. And in that realm, our nation is falling behind - and fast.
6
I wonder if that means that Russia will start paying for the defense of Europe. I can assure you, the price will be higher.
6
Why would Europe need the defence if it makes the deal with Russia? Seems like it is much cheaper to keep peace with Russia than pay for questionable defence.
Isn't it obvious that Trump is working for Putin?
17
If Merkel and Macron make deals with the baby gassing Iranian terrorists then why not Putin? They have no scruples!
6
Trump, on the other hand, is a role model in morale, ethics and integrity. Good one!
3
And we made deals with the Shah and Saddam Hussein.
1
Trump, Russia's Branch Manager in Washington DC has taken Putin's marching orders................
7
I think the world has been operating under a hope that Trump will only go so far and that we'll all be able to function somewhat normally at whatever new frequency he settles at. So our allies' leaders are trying to express discontent with him without direct confrontation, hoping to avoid that sort of conflict with the U.S. My hope as an American is that we'll reach a critical point where it becomes obvious to them that to allow Trump to continue is to allow the world to fall into economic and political chaos and that they'll collectively demand of our Congress that he be reined in, if not removed entirely. I think they know better than to sidle up to Putin; we seem to be the only country that hasn't fully accepted the truth of Russia's meddling in the U.S. and Putin's bizarre relationship with Trump. I don't think Europe is naive in that regard. It may finally be up to our trading partners to put sufficient pressure on corporate and Congressional leaders in America.
5
You have to admit, he has played with his puppet trump like a master. I wonder if the republicans will ever realize how deeply they have been manipulated by a foreign enemy playing on their arrogance, belligerence, bigotry and greed to turn the developed world away from the US and into his waiting arms.
Who am I kidding? People have been trying to get them to realize that for years now. They are so slow he could probably get them to start shooting fellow US citizens (not that Putin and his Fox News puppets haven't been pushing that neme already.)
7
It isn't as much an opening as an interdependence. To the extent it is an opening; Europe should be concerned about a military ally. In the event the US reverts to pre-Trump geopolitics, then gets herself hamstrung by a nuclear strike - as threatened. As a contingency, in the event the US reverts. Europe should be securing refuge with Russia and India.
1
Putin sure is enjoying his day in the sun now that Trump is installed in the White House.
Putin, who is clearly far more intelligent than his "Useful Idiot" in the Oval Office, will never run out of ways to sow chaos and confusion. Luckily for him, much of the damage he longs to see inflicted upon the United States is achieved for him by our witless, so-called president.
18
I wonder how many kickbacks the Draft Dodger in Chief is getting from Russia to promote the détente between Russian and Europe.
9
Not surprised at all. Good luck to Europe, Russia and even China, just make sure you NEVER have somebody like Donald Trump as your president.
5
They have far worse.
Just like in innumerable spy films there is now
a real criminal mastermind in Putin and his idiot sidekick, trump.
8
Putin helped elect Trump to divide the American people, and the US from her allies.
Trump has been content to follow orders in exchange for financial support during the Crisis, as without that he would have been wiped out yet again.
He spent years sowing a fake birther movement to undermine President Obama.
After gaining election despite a 3 million vote deficit, he has feasted on emoluments in office from international business dealings much like his sponsor Putin.
If he wasn’t a billionaire before gaining office, he will be leaving office.
If the standing of the nation is left in tatters for his enrichment, well that has been his method of operation from the beginning.
6
World systems are these days so complex that cause and effect can no longer be adequately determined. There are so many unknown variables at play, including the vagaries of despots and whims of egomaniacal political leaders -- such as America is now itself witnessing after lecturing other nations on such accounts for years. The only thing leaders can do is pick up a few crumbs left at the alter of political hubris.
Trump is leaving a lot of crumbs and the fixing of his mess will be long and lasting. Trump's actions -- mostly without thought and only to appease himself and his base -- are not those that can be easily reversed by any future leader. And in that, there is a great danger that the world will slide into another armageddon, where resurgent nations take opportunities never before given them, but for the gross, egomaniacal ignorance afforded them in this current political vacuum created by a cartel of Know Nothings.
7
"Russia is cognizant of the fact that Mr. Trump has created a sudden opportunity for them."
Putin created this opportunity – backing DT in the '16 election is what got him were he is now. This was his goal.
4
Besides the Krim, Syria and Eastern-Ukrain there are 298 other reasons why mr. Putin's reconciliation effort will be in vain. They are the victims of MH-17.
5
About France
The disagreement between France and the US isl less about tariffs on steel and Aluminum, and more about the US enforcement of commercial sanction against Iran.
After lifting the sanctions by Obama, French companies moved in. PSA (an automotive group partly owned by the French State that includes Peugot, Opel , Vauxhall and is the second largest car producer in Europe) became Iran's largest producer, and PSA's most important foreign market . Last year, PSA sold 440 600 cars in Iran, versus 382 600 in China, and 279 100 in the UK.
Under American pressure, using the status of the dollar as the world's reserve currency as a pressure tool, it announced withdrawal from it's # 1 foreign market.
France Minister of Economy, Bruno Le Maire, declared "It is not up to the US to tell us with which foreign Nation we can or can not have commercial relations."
Most resented of all, is the US use of the dollar to dictate to other Nations. It occurred under Obama as well and is not limited to Trump . It is perceived as American Imperialism, and helps Putin.
7
Everything Trump does hurts the Unites States and helps Russia. Trump is obviously working for Putin.
10
Duh.
Trump takes his orders from Putin. Putin wants EU sanctions dropped. Trump inexplicably antagonizes our European allies.
The man is a clear and present danger to global democracy.
9
For Putin it is clear that his purchase of an American president, with an able assist from American conservatives and the GOP, is an investment that just keeps paying dividends.
17
Interesting that this correction of past mistakes is reported as being based on fury at Trump rather than a rational recalculation of European nation interests in a changing world.
Why exactly did EU nations go against their own interests and support the US in isolating Russia in the first place? Well, as long as the US was picking up the military defense tab endlessly, then the calculation was obvious. Now that the US seems more reluctant and seems intent to continue the endless debacles in the Middle East AND pick on China ... let's just say that the Euros are recalculating.
8
Nothing at all to do with war and annexation on the borders of Europe?
Seriously, no one is dupe about Putin. The Trump instability factor is real. From his actions, the only rational conclusion is that he is effectively a Russian agent. Who would have thunk, for all its military might, the US would fall without a shot fired on its shores? Chilling, beyond the imaginings of any Netflix series...
6
Agreed with a changing world and EU recalculating its interest. They get a bulk of their gas from Russia. Germany the biggest recipient than the others. I too never understood why they agreed to go along with the U.S and put economic sanctions on Russia when it didn't make sense for them, nor did it work in their favor. They lost their largest supplier of oil and gas and had to scramble elsewhere to find energy.
And the way the Aggravator-in-Chief has belittled our allies from the beginning, what do you expect them to do? They will find a friendly face and go there. And Putin is now that friendly face. He is now the hero in this tragic international movie. And I must add, he plays the role well. Ah, that's not a shocker, it's Vladimir Putin!
1
Seems like annexion of Kosovo and the American wars in Iraq, Libya and Syria didn't bother Europe, why Russian wars should?
Never mind the concerted effort on the part of neo cons and the corporate news media to smear Russia. The poisoning of former Russian spy has fallen from the headlines because there is no proof the Russians had anything to do with it. The Ukrainian coup by nationalist right wing Ukrainians that overthrew a legally elected gov't and aggression into eastern Ukraine by right wing nationalist military, unreported. Just false reports about imminent attack by Russia. Crimea votes to join Russia because vast majority of residents are Russian and do not want to be part of anti Russian Ukrainian state. Absolutely ridicules accusations that the Russians have taken over the internet. Paranoia fed by a corporate news media that have been made fools of by al Qaeda in Syria. Stupid sanctions of Russia by a McCarthyite congress. Now Trump's totally inexplicable reckless trade sanctions against Europe. Putin seems a much more manageable partner than Trump.
5
Russia doesn’t need to be smeared.
Russia’s involvement in the poisoning and many other crimes is not doubted by any intelligence agencies or any independent news outlets. The poisoning has fallen from the headlines because it is settled fact that Russia did it. And because the parade of appalling actions by Russia and Trump has continued and pushed it off the headlines. But like Russia/Putin’s many previous murders and other grave misdeeds it should never be forgotten.
9
It doesn't say much of these intelligence offices, after all they believed Saddam had WMD. Hatreds does wonder to visions.
The Bond Villain checklist:
1) Convince Americans to turn on their own protectors.✅
2) Convince US leaders to turn on their allies.✅
3) Once the US is sufficiently isolated, seize control of broken alliances to forge a new, totalitarian world order run by billionaires/trillionaires.✅
4) Celebrate with Vodka and yacht shopping.
23
Michael Fromm, an architect of the TPP, warned that any vacuums or voids that the Trump admin creates through isolationism and “America First” policies and strategies will be filled quickly by competitors.
Well played Mr. Putin.
Well played.
15
And now for Part II of Trump's plan to aid Russia. If you can't advance Putin's agenda by opening the front door with direct ties, then sow discord among America's allies and create a side door for the Kremlin puppet master to march through.
Another Make Russia Great Again moment, brought to you by the colluder in chief!
6
Dumbed down, Fox addled Americans are in for a rude awakening. The nations of the world are rapidly moving forward on a future without the United States of America, for which our country can thank Trump and the Republican Party of liars, criminals and charlatans that put him in office. Hopefully the fools who vote for Republicans who have only contempt for them will suffer and suffer greatly. But I doubt it - because when the collapse begins, Fox will surely find a way to blame Obama and Hillary, and the rubes, yahoos and imbeciles who vote Republican will of course, believe them.
15
Of course Russia is not a democracy under the European standards, but Russia has only 144 millions of inhabitants, so it is not a treath for Europe, and we need stability, Russian diplomacy is stable, we cannot say the same about American diplomacy. For EU, don't remove the sanction is stupid, our interest are not the same that American interests. UK, the paradise of Russian is leaving, so the spy and assassination drama don't concern is. Ya, we have, as European to have good relationship with Russia
2
Trump truly is our "master of disaster" in terms of international affairs. But domestically, he and his supine GOP Congress are just the same old Republican plutocrats preaching freedom to those whom they want to keep confined to corporate capitalism's slums of subordiantion.
19
Trump and European short sightedness triumph once again! Trump is so good at multi-tasking that he manages to stroke and antagonize Russia at the same time that he is confusing and alienating our allies. What a guy. and Obama was criticized for not having enough beers with GOP numb skulls.
I’ll bet the Donald already got his finders fee
2
I wish Putin luck on that one, but we recognize the purpose of the story is just to find another way to attack Trump. The next thing we’ll be reading is that this is all part of a grand scheme of Russian collusion which we know about only because Papadopoulos spilled it to Halper and Downer between shots of vodka. This is what really got the FBI started on the whole thing, you know. It just fell into their laps like a hot bowl of borscht. As they say back in the dacha, “Nostrovia!”
2
No, it's not just "another way to attack Trump." It's about serious miscalculations in formulating the foreign policy of the United States of America. The administrations missteps have undermined the structure of alliances that have sustained a liberal world order since the end of the second world war, and have allowed a hostile competitor state to take advantage of these failures to advance its own interests. It's important for Trump supporters to realize, it's no always about Trump. It's about the continued well-being, security, and status of the United States.
26
There's actually more to this story than you think. However it's your choice if you want to regard it in such over-simplified terms.
4
Taken right out of the Brennan/Clapper playbook.
Who benefits from the Trump Regime ??? The Rich, The Trump Crime Family and the Russians. Wow. Who would have guessed ?????
SAD.
20
Where's that Moscow hotel video? The public want to see it. Soon.
4
What's that the Trump Guard were chanting in Charlottesville?
"Russia is our Friend!"?
3
Make Russia, China And Every Other Country Great Again
Trump 2018: In Stupidity and Treason We Trust
41
Divide and conquer. First strategy, best strategy, forever strategy.
12
It seems that the G7 will have a vacancy just because the member with the biggest economy of the forum does not seem to be part of it anymore. What will be Trump's input on an agenda for climate change, oceans and, clean energy?
Even though Putin does not qualify to be part of it, it seems like he wants to apply to fill the vacancy. The same type of vacancy that China took when Trump left the TPP.
11
The right wing League party that went into coalition with the higher vote getting 5 Star Movement in Italy just announced that "opening to Russia" is a big part of his plans.
Russia wants above all to cripple the EU, and destroy the Trans-Atlantic alliance. But Trump has embraced Putin, speaks with him all the time on his unsecured phone, and obviously gives away the store every time he does.
So much winning. For Putin.
8
Clearly this shows how dumb this President and his enablers are about world economics. Instead of co-operating with current NAFTA partners by strengthening the agreement and joining the TPP from the outset, he has put America in a position of little or no influence anymore in world economic and other affairs. Of course, someone else is going to jump into the void and China and Russia will be glad to take the helm. While Trump alienates those that once were his allies the picture at the heading of the column speaks volumes.
The "Make America Great Again" slogan should be changed to "Make America Irrelevant Again".
9
Russia and the EU are still fighting over who will get to control Ukraine, and unless the EU elects to give Ukraine back to Russia not much will come of this. The sanctions against Russia may come to an end but their end won't take care of the fundamental issue in dispute.
Frankly, it is revealing that the Europeans are so quick to run to a dictator when they are faced with even a small American tariff. The EU is much more protectionist that the United States, and the Europeans are in no position to lecture anybody about these kinds of matters.
The EU began as a business cartel for central European coal and steel producers to limit competition. It is not entirely a force for democracy, and it never has been. It was always meant to be a vehicle for large business interests. Those business interests are furious with Trump and their puppet politicians are likewise parroting that fury. It's a little disappointing to see.
"Putin Moves to Capitalize on Europe’s Fury With Trump"
Who could possibly have seen that coming?
22
Fruits of Failing 45's tireless efforts to destroy America.
17
Putin could not have handpicked a U.S. President ( or puppet) to do his bidding and work undermining our NATO allies, if he , wink, wink, tried. We all now must live with the consequences of the impetuous and foolish treatment of our allies by Hair Orange Furor Trump. Add in Trump’s equally foolish and contemptuous behavior of our next door neighbors - Canada and Mexico, and Putin can say with a smirk, “ Mission Accomplished “.
7
Where are the Republics in all of this? Their fate can turn in a
FLASH.
3
Putin Good Cop, bad Cop. First Britain, Then messing in the US election, than cashing in his Trump bonanza in Europe. A triple whammy for Putin.
2
Put Saturday Night Live in charge of the US . Fake Trumpster is better that the real Trumpster .
The US is losing it . Hail to the new chiefs : Europe , Russia , China .
2
Does this potus think ahead or are all his reactions due to spite and show lack of thought. The GOP is to blame for our national fiasco - trump and his cabinet
10
Surprise, surprise, surprise. Thanks, President Gomer Pyle.
3
Putin must be very proud of himself. So much achieved in such a short time. It took this useful idiot Trump less than 18 months to drive a wedge between the US and it´s western allies. Something Putin alone could not have done in a decade. But suddenly Russia - despite Crimea and Eastern Ukraine - is seen as a relatively reliable partner again, by many in Europe. Who cares that Putin , the master spy, is as brilliant a tactician as he is a ruthless dictator. Divide & rule still works beautifully. Unbelievable.
Merkel has no illusions about Putin, and will tell him exactly that. But in a Europe that is being separated from the US by the egomaniacal Trump while being pulled apart from the inside by populist european politicians, there is only so much she can do.
I am afraid things will have to get much worse before people in Europe understand that they cannot go it alone, but only as part of a united EU that speaks with one voice, both when it comes to the US as well as to Russia. My hope is that this may happen by 2020 - in time for restarting a new transatlantic relationship with a new US administration.
37
Trump is not a useful idiot, imo. He may need a friendly place to exile if he is cast out as the US leader, facing possible prison time after removal from office. With his divisive politics, his brand, therefore future earnings, is ruined (think Latin America and any other nationalities he has insulted).
I'm afraid things will have to get much worse here before Americans realize the U.S. can't go it alone.
And at this rate, it won't be too long.
There are many of us hoping the same as you in 2020... Lass mal sehen, wa?
4
Europeans should remember that Putin is here to stay - including all of his "reliable" thuggish ways - and trump will eventually be forced out of office by the non-Republican majority of Americans.
For now Europe should focus on targeted sanctions against Russophile Republicans - the party of Russia (not Lincoln). I.e. Europe (NATO) should watch their back while we have one party misrule in our country. Have Republicans signed a partnership - including funding - with Putin's United Russia Party (via the NRA) too?
Maybe Bannon is on Putin's payroll too after being dropped by the Mercers. He isn't content with destroying America that he is now meddling in Europe to divide and destroy it too.
Europe should not forget the murder at Putin's behest of Europeans (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, and Europeans at the time UK) on MH17, plus civilians from Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Philippines - 298 innocent civilians.
As a Dane I will not forget nor forgive Russian threats to nuke Denmark. Sorry Austria, there is no such thing as neutrality here.
From G-8 to G-7 and now looks to be headed to G-6. Can G-6 push back against trumpian destructive arrogance? Perhaps Gov. Brown should propose California replace America as the 7th member while kicking out trump-America for vandalizing global trade.
Didn't Putin really mean Russia wants to collude with those who want to collude with Moscow? Might be a translation thing. That nagging sore is cancerous-trump.
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If European leaders lay down and acquiesce to the demands of Putin, then it only shows that the shadow of Chamberlain has risen in Europe once again.
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Okay Mike, I see where you're going with this, but it's a bit off. Chamberlain often gets this bad rap. The reality is he didn't trust AH at all, but he needed to buy time because he knew that GB was nowhere ready to fight the war, not in men nor matériel.
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We need some brave truly patriotic whistleblower to publicize the readouts from trump & putins phone calls.
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Ho-hum. Most of Europe's countries have a larger economy than Russia does. This is much ado about nothing; they are going to huff and puff for the cameras and end up doing exactly what Trump wants because dealing and trading with the U.S. is in the continent's best interests.
Besides, doesn't everyone in Europe say Putin's a thug anyway? The guy just tried to poison two former operatives in England.
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You're totally missing the point if you don't think this is going to have a negative impact on the U.S. economy.
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Yes, Russia is a small player. The liberal media exaggerates Russia's influence as well as its threat to US.
What does the US get from all of our good buddies anyway?
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@BB
Like most Americans you underestimate both Russia and Vladimir Putin's commitment to restoring it to its former Soviet glory.
I suggest you read a bit more, for i its sphere of influence is not as "small" as you think.
Another thing.
If you believe America will ever be "great again" while on this isolationalist path, you're sadly mistaken.
Putin's self-made multi-front war on the world. One cannot imagine this will end well for him.
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Interestingly, the European right-wing parties support president Trump, while the European left hates him.
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Smiling smirking Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is grateful that his pet puppet Donald John Trump is sowing discord and division in the European Union, Euro Zone and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Thereby making an aging shrinking Russian nation of 145 million great again. Despite America having a nominal annual GDP that is 15x Russia's while annually spending 9x Russia on it's military
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Ah, yes. Mr Trump helping his buddy Vlad to Make Russia Great Again.
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I just don't see why we should have any fundamental problem with Russia. Obviously Soviet communism is no longer an issue and there is no reason to fear a Russian invasion in Europe (we shouldn't have meddled and helped destabilize Ukraine) and good Russia-EU relations adds to stability and economic progress. We also need Russian help to stabilize the dangerous Middle East. And remember its the US, not Russia, that is abandoning environmental protection and the
Paris accord.
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The case for there being an enemy combatant or foreign agent in the White House is bolstered by the actions and policies coming from this administration. We are in the process of alienating our traditional allies while making new enemies across the globe. We have pretty much cut ourselves out of trade around the planet, and will soon have no trading partners. Putin can now approach those who would have looked at them with a jaundiced eye and say: see, we're not so bad. The Americans are your enemies, not us. Who places tariffs on those that are their friends and allies? At this rate within a few years we will have no friends or allies. Sure the economy looks great right now( thanks to all that was set in motion by the former president), but I personally see dark days ahead if we continue down the path we are on.
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It is all going according to plan. Anyone who is not blinded by jingoism, greed and/or bigotry could see it: Will it be too late, once we regain our country, IF we do?
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If you believe in conspiracies here is one for you. Before Trump was elected he reached out to Putin and they both put together a plan for Trump to support Putin and his agenda. If you look at Trump's behavior and actions as of June 6, 2018 a case can be made that Trump is attacking our Allies while supporting the Russian agendas and parenthetically also supporting our enemies China and North Korea.
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DT knows who butters his bread!
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On his visit to Austria, Putin told a TV interviewer that he "regularly talks on the phone with Trump." That must be how our Manchurian Candidate gets his orders from the Kremlin. How else to explain Trump's trade waters, which alienate our closest European and Canadian allies while helping to make Russia and China great again.
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Make that trade wars sted of trade "waters." Intrusive spell checking which I can't seem to turn off in my computer is too intuitive, or counterintuitive, for my liking.
Trump is a pawn in Putin's strategic plan. Using Trump's need for greed and power Purtin has effectively used Trump to divide us from our allies and now he moves into conquer by taking our place in Europe as a reliable economic partner. Putin was a former KGB foreign intelligence officer, this is an easy play for him.
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The Washington Post, NYT, CNN, PBS, BBC, and now the new editor at the WSJ have been screaming “Russian collusion” for so long that they have created this self inflicted wound not only to America but Europe and the rest of the world.
End the Mueller probe now or hand Putin the keys to the WH!
I don't think anyone should be surprised at this - it is a natural outcome of the arrogance and adversity of Mr. Trump's administration toward our allies and trading partners. We all know that Mr. Trump lacks finesse and strategic skills - still, you'd think he'd have learned that old playground logic: "If your enemy is my enemy, then we must be friends." Especially since he seems to have mastered the art of playground bullying.
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As Trump predicted, I have grown tired of all this winning. So tired of it I'm afraid to read the Times each morning to learn of our latest victory. Putin may or may not be a master strategist, but he hardly needs to be in a battle of wits with our unarmed president.
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Many in Eastern Europe remember very well what "fraternal" relations with Russia mean. Many of my friends in Eastern Europe are very wary to see Putin's influence on their local politicians grow.
Furthermore, if Putin looks like a master strategist, it's mainly because Trump is so bad and corrupt.
I can' wait for the November elections, so that we can get rid of Trump.
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Many in Central and South America know what fraternal relations with us means and has meant for 200+ years. It is ever thus for small nations bordering large ones. Spheres of influence are part of the real world.
Putin wants what is due to Russia: respect and some say as to what happens in his nation's neighborhood. This is normal!
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Russia and China are both working to undermine the US everywhere. Trump is playing right into their hands. Putin’s election meddling which gave Trump the win has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. 7 more years of this and we will be more isolated than any time in our history as we turn allies into rivals working with our most dangerous adversaries.
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The world could handle a second Trump term. Put us out of our misery!
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Isn't that legit? The US wants to keep its influence in the World, Russia and China want to spread their influence in the World. Seems like fair game. Let's fittest to win
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The Europeans, indeed the entire world, has turned a deaf ear to the news out of the commission that presented its findings that the Russians were responsible for shooting down the Malaysian Airlines jet over Ukraine. Such outrage over the poisoning of the former Russian spy and his daughter, but not a word about the scores of innocents murdered by the Russian thugs.
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Maybe, they want to see more proof. After all, you remember how many commissions were wrong about WMD. Beside, isn't a court who determines the responsibilities?
This is a plan by Putin, to have Trump make the USA look bad in the eyes of the world and then he can march in and be the hero.
The truly bad thing about this, is that it's working.
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At this point, one must wonder if Donald Trump's moves to further isolate the U.S. with his recently enacted trade tariffs is part of an ultimate plan to make Russia (and China!) great again ... at our expense.
Because it's looking increasingly like it is.
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The failing "Europe" once known as the EU is welcome to Putin and his oligarchs.
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It seems that those Europeans forget that the USA is god's country and can decide who trades with whom in the planet.
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My initial reaction to Putin capitalizing on the situation: with the Useful Fool's unabashed weakness for flattery, their frequent phone calls likely included some persuasive 'support' for imposing the trade tariffs, thus enabling Putin to move into position. One is playing a long game. One is shooting from the hip.
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Trump and Co is helping Russian goals either wittingly or unwittingly- but the result is the same - isolationism. Russia, China, and the EU are all signatories of the Paris Accord and the Iran nuclear deal and now are working on trade. Now the US is in the cold! Well done Trump, Ross, Pence, Navaro, Mnuchin and all the other Trump troglodytes. Trump is battling imaginary foes like football players and Amazon while the rest of the world is tackling real issues. Trump can huff and puff but the net result is to blow the US house down.
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It's all falling into place for Putin. He has had a hand in the election of the most divisive, dysfunctional, damaging, dangerous and detestable President in US history. Trump, knowingly or unknowingly, is doing Putin's work for him masterfully by sewing discord among the US and its allies. Most Europeans, Australians and Canadians are aghast at the Trump maladministration. The US's standing as the preeminent world leader has been lost, its credibility (not least as a result of pulling out of the Paris Accords and the Iran deal) is in tatters and anti-Americanism is on the rise around the globe. All of this fosters a geopolitical environment that is highly favorable to the rising powers of Russia and China.
Trump is a disaster for America, the West and the world.
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you said it Andrew!
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When all is said and done, western Russia is European and has been for over two hundred years. The west tends to gloss over the fact that it was (Soviet) Russia that defeated the Nazis; the Russian occupation of Eastern Europe was pretty straightforward because of the historic cultural, linguistic and ethnic ties. St Petersburg and Moscow are littered with buildings, squares and monuments designed and built by French and Italians. Eventually, the US-led animus against post WW2 Russia will be replaced by reintegration of Russia with Europe and the UK. Like China, Putin and the Russians are playing the long game. More signs that US post WW2 hegemony has broken down & Europe, Russia and China will re-emerge as the great powers they were until the 20th C. It may not be too long before Africa, soon to be the world's most populous continent, joins them. Trump's defence of America has something of the Don Quixote about it, a whimsical re-enactment of a century past.
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Cx: US animus was against Stalin's post-WW2 USSR, not Russia.
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Errr, no ... US (and other western nations) was against the USSR from the beginning (1920), only interrupted by necessity from 1940-45 ...
The more recent animus is based, as ever, on the MI Complex's need for a convenient and believable adversary. How else to sell the need for multi-trillion dollar "defense" expenditures? Yell Russia and collect the checks ...
@Cephalus. it's nice for a change to read a sober comment written indeed from a long term historical perspective. As opposite to the endless variations of "The Russians are coming!" theme.
And this is what Trump's so-called Art of the Deal gets us. Putin has masterfully out-maneuvered Trump in key strategic ways that will isolate the U.S. from its international partners.
This would have been an unimaginable nightmare scenario if Hilary Clinton, a skilled player on the world stage, was President. And that is precisely why the wily Putin made sure she did not win. He knew that to advance his agenda.
having a puppet in the White House would make his task all the more easy to accomplish.
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