"Trump’s Turbulence" Endangers Entire World

 "Trump’s Turbulence" Endangers Entire World

United Daily News Editorial (Taipei, Taiwan)

July 16, 2018

 Translation of an Excerpt

US President Trump recently visited the United Kingdom, and wherever he went, he elicited controversies and demonstrations along the way. He humiliated Prime Minister May, breaching protocol with the Queen, and wantonly criticizing Britain's Brexit policy; the British media described his visit as "a visit from hell." Earlier, Trump attended a NATO summit; he started by angrily accusing Germany of being "a captive to Russia," and later, he blackmailed the various members, demanding a higher percentage of GDP for defense budgets, showing a madman’s manners. Trump's acts in undermining the status quo and order everywhere on this tour have been dubbed "Trump’s turbulence"; it looks like the calamity has spread from the United States to the whole world.

Internationally, Trump regards a foe as an ally, and an ally as a foe. During the NATO summit, he lambasted Germany, saying it relied on Russian for 70% of its energy supply, which is tantamount to being "captive to Russia." Trump then said that the United States has spent big money to “pick up the tab” to protect Europe, asking NATO allies to immediately hike their defense budgets to over 2% of GDP, which they should not wait until 2025 to do. Unmindful of allies’ opposition, he would meet with Russian President Putin on Monday.

"Trump’s turbulence" is obvious in that he did not follow the norms and precedents of the past. Trump made decisions alone and acted alone, behaving emotionally; in personnel appointments he relies on cronies, promoting those who are supplicants and firing those who defy him. He centralized all decision-making in the White House, while political appointees of various executive departments have not yet all been filled, deliberately debilitating the functions of the executive bdepartments. He likes to employ yes-men with military backgrounds; outside circles expected that the generals around him could follow professionalism and be faithful in their advice, but one after another, they were forced to resign. National Security Adviser McMaster has been replaced by John Bolton, and the White House chief of staff Kelly’s position is shaky; only Defense Secretary Matisse remains.

With regard to “Trump’s turbulence,” European countries are currently seeking hedges, on the one hand, keeping contact with the United States, and on the other hand, actively exploring new allies. EU member states stress solidarity, jointly fending against the protagonist on the other side of the Atlantic; the various states in the Indo-Pacific region are actively developing relations with Mainland China, balancing their reliance on the United States. Currently, only Taiwan is still welcoming and cooperating with Trump. Taiwan relies on the US for security; this is a fact. However, with regard to the International Ministerial Conference on Religion, sponsored by the United States, which discriminates against Muslims and has withdrawn from the United Nations Human Rights Council, surprisingly we are elated to have been invited. Does this mean that we have abandoned the dignity of our nation and the values of human rights?

Attachment : none