Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump gives. And he takes away. Upset by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s more forceful stance toward the U. S., Trump canceled an invitation for him to join his Board of Peace. Many Western allies are wary of the group, which is chaired by Trump and was originally set up to maintain the ceasefire in Israel’s conflict with Hamas but has evolved into something skeptics fear could compete with the United Nations. While speaking at the World Economic Forum, Trump mentioned imposing tariffs on Switzerland – which he eventually reduced – because he felt that the country’s leader “rubbed me the wrong way” during a call. Before dropping plans for wide-ranging tariffs on several European nations, Trump urged Denmark to “say yes” to America’s desire to control Greenland “and we will be very appreciative. Or you can say no and we will remember,” he stated, jeopardizing NATO unity. Throughout his time in public life, Trump hasn’t been known for diplomacy. But even by his standards, last week was particularly noteworthy as it highlighted his intent to dismantle the rules-based order that has guided U. S. foreign policy – and much of the Western world – since World War II. The president and his supporters have labeled that framework as inefficient, overly focused on compromise and unresponsive to people facing rapid economic shifts. However, in its place, Trump is promoting a system that’s not well understood and might turn out to be far less stable, influenced by the whims of a single leader who often shows that personal praise or disdain can affect his choices. Returning from Davos after attending the World Economic Forum, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska noted that she kept hearing “over and over” that “we are entering this new world order,” reflecting a sense of uncertainty among allies. “It may be you just had a bad telephone call with the president and now you’re going to have tariffs directed at you,” she told reporters. “This lack of stability and reliability, I think, is causing what were traditionally reliable trade partners to be saying to other countries, ‘Hey, maybe you and I should talk because I’m not sure about what’s going on with the United States.’” The Trump-centric approach to governing The way Trump governs isn’t surprising for someone who accepted his first Republican presidential nomination in 2016 by claiming that “I alone can fix” the nation’s problems. As he enters his second term with much more confidence than before, he has thrilled supporters with his winner-takes-all style. Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump, recently told The Atlantic that Trump is following a “maximalist strategy” and must continue until there’s pushback. “And we haven’t met any resistance,” Bannon said. This seems accurate in Washington where Congress controlled by Republicans has done little to challenge Trump’s instincts. However, leaders from other nations who’ve spent much of Trump’s presidency trying to work alongside him are becoming more vocal about their concerns. Carney is quickly rising as a figure leading efforts for nations seeking ways to unite against U. S. policies. Speaking in Davos ahead of Trump’s address, Carney remarked that “Middle powers must act together because if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” “In a world of great power rivalry,” he continued,”the countries in between have a choice: either compete with each other for favor or unite for a third path that makes an impact.” He added,”We should not allow hard powers’ rise blind us from recognizing that legitimacy, integrity, and rules remain strong-if we choose together.” Trump did not appreciate those comments; responding with threats in Davos before rescinding Carney’s Board of Peace invitation. “Canada lives because of the United States,”Trump said.”Remember that Mark, the next time you make your statements.” Some leaders are pushing back However Carney remained undeterred; portraying Canada as “an exampleto aworldat sea”ashe craftedapossible templateforotherworldleadersnavigating anew era. “Wecan showthat anotherwayis possible; thatthe arc of history isn’t destinedtoward authoritarianismand exclusion,”hesaidinaspeechbeforeacabinet retreatin Quebec City.<P inthe UK, premier Keir Starmercriticized Trumpon Fridayfor"insultingand franklyappalling" commentsindicatinghedoubted NATO'ssupportifthe U. S. requestedit. Thepresidentappearedto forgetthat Article5ofthe NATO treatyrequiressupportformembercountriesunderthreatwas invokedonlyafter9/11attacksonthe U. S.
Telling Fox Business Networkaboutnon-UStroops; Trumptoldthem;”You know they’ll say they sent sometroopsto Afghanistanor thisorthat, andthey did; they stayedalittleback, a littleoffrontlines.”
Sarmerpointedout457Britishpersonnelwhodiedandthosewithlifelonginjuries stating; hewould”neverforgettheircourage, theirbravery, and thesacrifice theymadefortheircountry.”Denmarkwhich Trumphasdisparagedas”ungrateful” forthe U. S. protectionduring WWIIhadthehighestpercapitadeathtollamongcoalitionforcesin Afghanistan.
Thisapproachhasraisedconcernsabout Trumpcausinglong-termharmtothe U. S. position globallywhile promptingnations torethinkalliancesand strengthen tieswith China. Carneyalreadyvisitedthereearlierthismonth tomeet President Xi Jinping.
“Chinasleadershipwatchedan Americanpresidentfightingwithallies insultingworldleaders, andengaginginbizarreantics, andthoughttothemselves-this isnothingbutgoodforus”, Jake Sullivanformer President Joe Biden’snationalsecurityadviserwroteinane-mail.
Theadministrationisshowingnosignof backingdown. Inasocialmediapostreferringto Canada’srelationswith Beijing. Trumpsaid China”will eatthemup.”Andthe Pentagonreleaseddefensestrategylate Friday tellingalliesto manageyourownsecurity.
Sen. Chris Coonsof Delaware, Democratonthe Foreign Relations Committeewas Davosparticipatingin abipartisandelegationto Denmarkwith Murkowskiintendedtoshowunityamid Trump’spushfor Greenland. Recallingconversationswithotherleaders, hestated Fridaythat Trumphasprovenheshowsresistanceonlywhen countrieslike Chinademonstrate toughnessandresiliency.”
“Thosewho accommodatedand negotiatedingoodfaith like EUwhichdidnot impose retaliatorytariffs seemed tonotwinanyrespectfromhim,”Coonsadded.”Theycanreachourown conclusions, butitwouldseemtotmethattheattemptto find awayto accommodatehim whenfoundationsofdemandson Greenlandareunhinged.. seemstome suggestingacourseofaction.”
___ Associated Presswriters Becky Bohrerin Juneau Alaska, Robby Gilliesin Torontoand Pan Py lasin Londoncontributedtothisreport.
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