Some times (many times actually) I question the motives of US President Trump.
Allegedly, he has just pardoned the former president of Honduras who was jailed for 45 years on drug trafficking charges. I find this at odds with the "make America great again" movement and keeping drugs out.
Many Americans voted for him, so I would be interested to hear their views.
This is being written before Ukraine, the EU and Britain have responded to President Trump's 28 point peace plan, that seems to be heavily weighed in Russia's favour. I hope a mature discussion ensues and it ends with a fair (to all) settlement.
Many people in the USA voted for President Trump. As far as I am aware, this was fair and they elected the person they wanted. I am in no position to comment on matters in the USA.
However, I am perfectly at liberty to express my personal view of his role on the world stage. Others may think very differently.
On the world stage I personally think President Trump has performed badly. This is my personal view. In the Ukraine and Gaza it would appear that the views of the common people have not been well considered.
He seems to be in the thrall of President Putin, the Israeli government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyaho and Mohammed bin Salman. I get the impression he sees world stage diplomacy as real estate deals, rather than the lives of real people.
It is reported that this visit is accompanied by huge security.
As this is a private visit to his golf courses, shouldn't Mr Trump pick up the security costs? It seems grossly unfair if this has to be done by the Scottish taxpayers.
Instead, why does he not try a bit harder in his quest for a Nobel peace prize by helping to get a lasting peace in the Middle East and the Ukraine?
Apparently (according to the BBC) President Trump has received a portrait of himself sent by Vladimir Putin.
It would seem that politicians in the UK are doing everything possible not to offend President Trump. Perhaps he will, at a whim, increase tariffs.
Yes, the world order has changed and Europe should never again depend on the USA as a backstop.
However, Europeans are not fools or freeloaders.
Probably most have seen the very public spat between Presidents Trump and Zelensky .
Clearly the USA 🇺🇸 wants to stand proud in the world with trade on a fair playing field with other nations around the world. The majority in the USA voted for President Trump.
What I fail to understand is why the President is falling out with so many in other countries. Surely if you want world peace you don’t want public rows with your allies!
We all want to see the world is a fairer, more peaceful, place.
I wonder what Russia and China make of it?
I have amended the posting in the light of the comment - quite correct. Thank you for putting me right!
The USA has already imposed heavy tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. It is threatening tariffs on the EU and UK. Whilst I can (I think) understand the reasons, my view is this is a blunt tool that can do much damage to the world economy.
Like it or not the world is very interconnected with supply chains that go the world over. Whilst I can see the incentives to keep things local, this will come at a cost. Suppliers nearer to home are likely to have higher labour costs, so things are likely to be more expensive.
The USA may be big enough to cope on its own. Much of the world cannot.
We may be at the start of a new world order with the USA (for now) forging an isolationist policy, unlike the rest of the world. It will be interesting to see what happens.
In January, Mr Trump becomes US president for the second time.
He has won the popular vote and the Electoral College. There is little doubt he has gained a mandate from most in the USA. Clearly the majority in the USA back him. For those in the USA his policies and promises "ring a bell".
Yet the odd thing is I have met not one (really not one in hundreds) outside of the USA that likes him. Most say he is unpredictable, a liar and thinks only of himself.
I remain puzzled why he is so popular. Perhaps his promise of "the American dream" rings true with the majority in the USA? It is the American people that choose their leader by democratic means, not me.
However, there are issues on a global scale that need his input as the most powerful man on the planet. No longer can the USA live in isolation. The world is very much interconnected.
The people of the USA have voted and chosen Mr Trump again. I wish them well although I am quite surprised.
This morning, we see on the news that Donald Trump narrowly missed an attempt on his life.
The USA has a gun culture and a very high death rate due to guns. It is sad that political candidates cannot give their "pitch" without the fear of being shot.
It is impossible to know if the ex president of the USA is guilty of the crimes of which he is charged. What I do know is unless he is found guilty, his chances of re-election in late 2024 increase.
At the moment, the USA seems very polarised. I really cannot understand why the USA cannot find younger candidates. If either Biden or Trump stand and get in they would be very old men!
Although ex-President Trump has gone from office, he still seems capable of turning on his (one time) friends. I am amazed that so many voted for him. To those of us outside the USA, he appears to hold grudges.
Ex-president Trump has been cleared of impeachment. This is not too surprising as the senate would have needed a 2/3rds majority.
What I sincerely hope is that the USA can move on peacefully. Judging by the votes, he clearly has a large following in the USA, although I very much doubt most of those would have wanted the violence that erupted.
As a beacon of democracy, the violence that erupted some weeks ago was ugly and self-destructive. Now is a time to heal.
In the USA many voted for him. Outside the USA I have yet to speak with anyone (not one) who has a good word for him. In 4 whole years I have spoken with, or met, many people. The number must be in the hundreds now.
Odd, he must have done something right domestically, yet abroad he is the butt of jokes.
Tomorrow the new USA president is sworn in. I hope that President Trump is magnanimous and his followers respect democracy.
It amazes me that so many people within the USA voted for Trump. Clearly he has a following in the USA whereas many outside of the USA think him stupid.
It is still true that I have met not one person outside the USA, online or in person, who has a good word to say about President Trump. I appreciate this is not so in the USA where nearly half the people voted for him.
The more time passes the deeper hole he seems to dig at least for those of us outside of the USA.
Assuming this is true and not "fake news", apparently President Trump has paid $3M to have the recheck done in Wisconsin. The result? More Trump votes, but even more for Biden. 😆
MLS, one of the large UK distributors, is selling the DX Patrol Ground Staion for QO-100. I guess you have to add a GPS external reference, ...
