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The Realization Has Finally Dawned; That Donald Trump does not Respond to Reason
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Topic Started: Jun 11 2018, 11:14 AM (126 Views)
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Brewster
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Jun 11 2018, 11:14 AM
Post #1
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From somewhere above 31,000 feet, heading to his North Korean summit in Singapore, Donald Trump pitched a hand grenade into this weekend's G-7 meeting of the world's leading democracies.
In a fit of pique over remarks by the G-7 host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump reversed his decision to sign a closing communiqué carefully crafted by his six fellow members, tweeting from Air Force One, "I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!"
This last-minute reversal raises a dangerous question: How can Kim Jong Un trust that any agreement he makes with Trump would last beyond the setting of the next sun? Of course, in Singapore, we will have perhaps the only two world leaders congenitally incapable of keeping any deal they've struck.
So, what exactly happened along the idyllic shores of the Saint Lawrence River in a remote stretch of Quebec? The leaders of the developed world gathered for what promised from the outset to be a weekend of invective and calumny -- deepening conflict with Trump's America. Never mind that for much of the existence of this gathering, which dates back nearly a half a century, the United States served as the beacon of the world's leading democracies.
Outwardly, there were the usual smiles and handshakes, the first-name congeniality as the presidents, prime ministers and a chancellor assembled for their family photo and mugged for the cameras at photo-ops and preprandial gatherings. In the end, all seven thought they'd managed to paper over their differences with a joint communique signed by each country, including the United States.
But at his closing news conference, Trudeau suggested that he and others at the summit will hardly cave to Trump's tariff demands, adding that he found some of Trump's language "insulting" and that "we will not be pushed around."
So Trump did not "permit any show of weakness on the trip to negotiate with North Korea," he pulled a stunt that could backfire badly.
As Trump bolted to avoid the most uncomfortable moments of the gathering -- debate over global warming, which he utterly rejects -- he left behind a bad taste everywhere he turned.
How could it possibly get any worse? Well, the President offered a few hints. He could, it seems, simply end all trade with any of their nations if they don't stop what he defines as unfair trade practices. Or he could continue to press for the pariah state of Russia, which Trump may not even have realized had been ousted after it seized control of Crimea from Ukraine, to return to the group. Even today, Russia, still unrepentant for this action, would be the only autocracy in the G-8, with a GDP that ranks below every other member and indeed below non-members Brazil, India, China and South Korea.
In one fashion or other, it seems, most of the other G-7 leaders have felt betrayed. All these leaders believe deeply in the natural order of things and the value of preserving a global club of democracies, while Trump believes -- and has never demonstrated more clearly than in Charlevoix -- in simply shredding such values at will and for his own convenience or profit. This weekend's G-7 simply placed all these feelings in greater, starker relief.
Ironically, it appears increasingly as though Trump is more comfortable and less threatened when dealing with autocrats or dictators: Welcome Putin back to the G-8; jet halfway around the world to spend some quality time with Kim Jong Un, a leader ruthless to all, even his own family.
The question, which must remain unanswered, is whether this weekend has left America a step closer to embracing or professing preference for autocracy itself. Certainly, with Trump leaving an empty chair Saturday afternoon as the G-7 discussed climate change, sustainable energy and renewable fuels, America has abdicated its onetime leadership position on these critical issues.
The realization has finally dawned that Donald Trump does not respond to rhetoric or reason -- or to anyone ganging up on him. The leading French daily Le Monde observed that the G-7 is simply "a symbol of a multilateral cooperation which he abhors." He does respond, however to strength and spine.
So, the battle was not joined in Charlevoix. But it will likely be joined in the weeks to come in retaliation, or at least with fortitude, as the G-6 unite against what now appears quite clearly to be their declared and sworn enemy. Link And so, step by step, Trump drags his country into the sewer, where only Autocratic Dictatorships with weak economies will deal with him, and the US Right will be left wondering what happened to his promises of Making America Great Again.
Edited by Brewster, Jun 11 2018, 11:22 AM.
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Banandangees
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Jun 11 2018, 03:52 PM
Post #2
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Fire & Ice Senior Diplomat
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How soon will you be leaving this forum again Brew. You didn't get enough response over on the other forum? Even liberals over there don't give you much time. You thought you'd revive that forum, but you push it further into nonexistence..... like you are doing here... and may succeed.... The only thing you're good at that I can see.
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Pat
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Jun 11 2018, 09:31 PM
Post #3
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- Brewster
- Jun 11 2018, 11:14 AM
- CNN
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From somewhere above 31,000 feet, heading to his North Korean summit in Singapore, Donald Trump pitched a hand grenade into this weekend's G-7 meeting of the world's leading democracies.
In a fit of pique over remarks by the G-7 host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Trump reversed his decision to sign a closing communiqué carefully crafted by his six fellow members, tweeting from Air Force One, "I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!"
This last-minute reversal raises a dangerous question: How can Kim Jong Un trust that any agreement he makes with Trump would last beyond the setting of the next sun? Of course, in Singapore, we will have perhaps the only two world leaders congenitally incapable of keeping any deal they've struck.
So, what exactly happened along the idyllic shores of the Saint Lawrence River in a remote stretch of Quebec? The leaders of the developed world gathered for what promised from the outset to be a weekend of invective and calumny -- deepening conflict with Trump's America. Never mind that for much of the existence of this gathering, which dates back nearly a half a century, the United States served as the beacon of the world's leading democracies.
Outwardly, there were the usual smiles and handshakes, the first-name congeniality as the presidents, prime ministers and a chancellor assembled for their family photo and mugged for the cameras at photo-ops and preprandial gatherings. In the end, all seven thought they'd managed to paper over their differences with a joint communique signed by each country, including the United States.
But at his closing news conference, Trudeau suggested that he and others at the summit will hardly cave to Trump's tariff demands, adding that he found some of Trump's language "insulting" and that "we will not be pushed around."
So Trump did not "permit any show of weakness on the trip to negotiate with North Korea," he pulled a stunt that could backfire badly.
As Trump bolted to avoid the most uncomfortable moments of the gathering -- debate over global warming, which he utterly rejects -- he left behind a bad taste everywhere he turned.
How could it possibly get any worse? Well, the President offered a few hints. He could, it seems, simply end all trade with any of their nations if they don't stop what he defines as unfair trade practices. Or he could continue to press for the pariah state of Russia, which Trump may not even have realized had been ousted after it seized control of Crimea from Ukraine, to return to the group. Even today, Russia, still unrepentant for this action, would be the only autocracy in the G-8, with a GDP that ranks below every other member and indeed below non-members Brazil, India, China and South Korea.
In one fashion or other, it seems, most of the other G-7 leaders have felt betrayed. All these leaders believe deeply in the natural order of things and the value of preserving a global club of democracies, while Trump believes -- and has never demonstrated more clearly than in Charlevoix -- in simply shredding such values at will and for his own convenience or profit. This weekend's G-7 simply placed all these feelings in greater, starker relief.
Ironically, it appears increasingly as though Trump is more comfortable and less threatened when dealing with autocrats or dictators: Welcome Putin back to the G-8; jet halfway around the world to spend some quality time with Kim Jong Un, a leader ruthless to all, even his own family.
The question, which must remain unanswered, is whether this weekend has left America a step closer to embracing or professing preference for autocracy itself. Certainly, with Trump leaving an empty chair Saturday afternoon as the G-7 discussed climate change, sustainable energy and renewable fuels, America has abdicated its onetime leadership position on these critical issues.
The realization has finally dawned that Donald Trump does not respond to rhetoric or reason -- or to anyone ganging up on him. The leading French daily Le Monde observed that the G-7 is simply "a symbol of a multilateral cooperation which he abhors." He does respond, however to strength and spine.
So, the battle was not joined in Charlevoix. But it will likely be joined in the weeks to come in retaliation, or at least with fortitude, as the G-6 unite against what now appears quite clearly to be their declared and sworn enemy. Link And so, step by step, Trump drags his country into the sewer, where only Autocratic Dictatorships with weak economies will deal with him, and the US Right will be left wondering what happened to his promises of Making America Great Again. So America wants an even playing fied and we now have a leader who doesn't cave. So what does the Canadian pip squeak do---lashes out at Trump when he is out of hearing range and miles away. Nothing has changed about our representative republic other than we are now being represented by our president on the world stage properly. We stop caving and the babies cry about it.
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ImaHeadaU
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Jun 11 2018, 11:25 PM
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PM Trudeau was simply answering a question from the press by repeating the same thing he has been saying since the president introduced his tariffs. The president once again showed that his word is not to be trusted.
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Brewster
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Jun 11 2018, 11:31 PM
Post #5
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Pat, the last thing Trump wants is an even playing field - he wants us to drop our tariffs while he continues to subsidize his products, so he can undercut our milk producers, our softwood lumber industry - everything,
Prove you're serious, drop all subsidies, then we'll talk about tariffs.
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Banandangees
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Jun 11 2018, 11:49 PM
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The fact remains:
"Recent World Trade Organization data shows that America's average tariff for imported goods is 2.4%. Canada's average tariff for imported goods is 3.1%, and the EU's average tariff for imported goods is 3%.
That's:
Canada - 3.1% EU - 3.0% US - 2.4%
Canada leads the pack average tariff for imported goods. Look away Canada. Look away.
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Brewster
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Jun 12 2018, 01:23 AM
Post #7
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Perhaps we lead the G8 in tariffs because the US is trying to take advantage of our good nature and shove subsidized, unwanted products across the border.
(Like your surplus milk).
Drop the subsidies, and I'm sure the Canadian government will be happy to talk.
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Jim Miller
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Jun 12 2018, 02:22 AM
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Who did you vote for ass-wipe, Brewster?
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Brewster
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Jun 12 2018, 02:31 AM
Post #9
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We don't have an ass-wipe position in Canada.
But I know you voted for him in your election, and still back him, even as he makes an ass of himself and your country around the world.
Edited by Brewster, Jun 12 2018, 02:32 AM.
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Banandangees
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Jun 12 2018, 04:37 AM
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- Jun 12 2018, 01:23 AM
Perhaps we lead the G8 in tariffs because the US is trying to take advantage of our good nature and shove subsidized, unwanted products across the border.
(Like your surplus milk).
Drop the subsidies, and I'm sure the Canadian government will be happy to talk.
Trump already said (on public TV) that he didn't like tariffs or subsidies. He said at/before the G8 meeting that he would be willing, to make trade free and fair, that he would be willing to drop all tariffs between the US and Canada if Trudeau would be willing to do the same. So, it seems to me that the ball is in Trudeau's court.
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