Trumped by Trump

Most days, his utterances make us feel that he is a dimwit, a total fool. But, make no mistake, he knows exactly what he is doing. If we need any convincing of this, just take a look at his visit to Europe this past week.

He told the NATO nations that they are bludging on America and must invest more on defence or he will pull the plug on them. They were outraged, but Trump was just trying to drum up business for the giant weapon manufacturing corporations of USA who are going through a lean period at the moment. After all, every one of them gave money to his election campaign.

Then, he all but destroyed Therese May by saying that he disagrees on her soft Brexit strategy and feels that her opponent, Boris Johnson, would make a fine Prime Minister. The background to that is that Trump wants to break up the European Union because he reckons they don't give a fair go to America in trade of goods, services and capital. With Britain out of Europe via a clean and total break, he can encourage Italy to do likewise. And on it will go.

Off then to Russia where he declared his eternal love for Putin. He wants him to be an ally in scaring the hell out of Europe, help him pull North Korea into line and join forces with him to threaten China's trade domination. Donald needs all the mates he can get.

Now, having done all that, he has no strategy for the next steps that are needed to fill the void created by the chaos he has caused. He is a destroyer, not a fixer.

Where does this leave us all?

Not actually in a good place.

But, the world will not end as there have been buffoons like him since the beginning of time. If we are smart, we will ignore him and strengthen our trading and military alliances with China, India, Indonesia and Japan. Between them, they have three and a half billion people who can be good trading partners for us. America has only 300 million. And we don't need America to defend us from them

Will Americans vote out Trump in 2020. I was once certain that they would toss him out with glee. But, I have changed my mind. There is not one single high profile opponent among either the Democrats or the Republicans who can lay a glove on him. The American political scene is filled with little guys (and gals).

So, enjoy a fine scotch whisky tonight, then sleep soundly.

They once taught me in Sunday School that 'God's in his heaven and all's right with the world'.

And I actually believed them at the time.