17 February 2025, 07:28

By David Buik

The observations I am about to make about the quixotic, enigmatic and unorthodox behaviour of the 47th President of the United States – Donald J Trump - will not include any personal criticism.

It goes without saying that I despair at the undiplomatic comments, promulgated by his ‘Sirah’ - Vice-President JD Vance, that Europe should ‘clean up its own mess’, whilst serving notice that the US is likely to declare UDI on Europe and the UK, in terms of the defence. The US is also threatening to withdraw its unwavering support of Ukraine against tyrannical Russian aggression.

JD Vance’s visceral comments on the dilution of freedom of speech and democracy in the UK and Europe were, in many ways, 'a bridge too far.’ It was unnecessarily provocative; Not the narrative one wants to hear from a supposedly the closes of allies.

Let’s face it: the Trump presidency has tipped a few controversial boulders in the water to get a seismic ripple reaction and how! The likelihood of very many of these threats, plus the implementation of trade tariffs and immigration initiatives, as currently set out, coming to fruition is limited. This feels like a high-class game of poker to me, though extremely uncomfortable and disrespectful to Europe’s leaders.

However, what has impressed me is that President Trump appears to be a man on a mission. Someone who is frustrated with inertia and will not countenance indecision or lack of achievement. President Trump has skin as thick as a rhinoceros. He is impervious to criticism and is ambivalent to adverse outrage to his highly controversial political and economic policies. One thing is for sure – he’s prepared to........

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