Op-ed: With friends like him …

Now that President Donald Trump has totally alienated the leaders of the traditional U.S. allies before escaping from Canada, it’s easy to see what he hopes to gain from that experience when he sat down with Kim Jong Un in Singapore. North Korea could give him some pointers on how the United States will exist as another pariah nation.

No, we’re not one yet, but the other G-7 heads of state could barely hide their disgust and were talking openly about becoming the G-6 now that Trump is blasting the Old World Order of trade agreements and so many geopolitical arrangements, turning things into the New World Disorder. The group used to be the G-8, but the other members tossed out Russia in 2014 over Vladimir Putin’s decision to take over Crimea. Now the president has added another layer to the antagonism, by pushing to have Russia readmitted, saying the alliance, with Vladimir Putin in attendance, shoulda had a G-8.

Of course, Trump and his campaigners are undergoing an intense special counsel investigation over whether, among other things, they colluded with the Russians using dirty trickery to nudge the election to a Trump victory. Whether Robert Mueller and his band find any Trump-Putin campaign chicanery, there are many who wonder if the president’s latest proposal demonstrates that the collusion continues even now.

First Vlad, then China’s Xi Jinping, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and now Kim; I’m hardly the first one to wonder why the leader of the free world, meaning POTUS, seems to get along better with those who rigidly rule their unfree countries. He picks fights nonstop with those who govern countries with a tradition of democracy, seeming to prefer the autocrats to the democrats (that’s with a small “D”).

Mind you, there is much to improve in a rigged worldwide system that has calcified since it was cobbled together to rescue a planet digging out from the rubble after World War II. Still, mindlessly upending the intricately woven military, diplomatic and economic tapestry will leave it in tatters if change is not accompanied by careful planning and execution. Now at the G-7’s latest confrontation (everything with Donald Trump is a confrontation), Trump threatens to end trade with our longstanding international trade partners. That is obviously absurd — unless he comes up with a way to make up for it with North Korea as an economic cohort.

As he was winging away, the Trumpster disclosed that the U.S. had refused to sign on to the usual communique that glosses over diplomatic disappointments. He exploded on Twitter, referring to the G-7 host, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as “dishonest and weak.” That was after Trudeau had made uppity statements describing what really was a Trump-vs.-everyone-else series of arguments. By now, just about anyone who deals with Donald Trump understands that part of that process will inevitably involve personal attacks. I suppose that “dishonest and weak” is marginally less insulting than “Little Rocket Man.” After a while, some might conclude that with the unavoidable abuse from such a crass individual, it isn’t worth it, even though he is temporarily in charge of the world’s most significant economy, at least until he fritters it away.

His base might be thrilled by all his tough bluster, but how would they feel being unemployed when there’s no market for American goods and the jobs shrivel away. Maybe his millions of followers would be excited if he were to demand another wall, this one along the border with Canada.

There’s always the possibility of new alliances, the United States joining with China, Russia and now North Korea. He can leave the old gang behind, even those who tried to be buddies, like French President Emmanuel Macron, who said of Trump’s approach: “There is no winner, there are only losers when you take that strategy.”

More in Opinion

Promise garden flowers are assembled for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Let’s keep momentum in the fight against Alzheimer’s

It’s time to reauthorize these bills to keep up our momentum in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other types of Dementia.

Jacquelyn Martin / Associated Press
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions Navy Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Sept. 14 on Capitol Hill.
Opinion: Music to the ears of America’s adversaries

Russia and China have interest in seeing America’s democracy and standing in the world weakened

Dr. Sarah Spencer. (Photo by Maureen Todd and courtesy of Dr. Sarah Spencer)
Opinion: Alaskans needs better access to addiction treatment. Telehealth can help.

I have witnessed firsthand the struggles patients face in accessing addiction care

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Need for accounting and legislative oversight of the permanent fund

There is a growing threat to the permanent fund, and it is coming from the trustees themselves

(Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Imagine the cost of health and happiness if set by prescription drug companies

If you didn’t have heartburn before seeing the price, you will soon — and that requires another prescription

Mike Arnold testifies in opposition to the use of calcium chloride by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Kenai Peninsula roads during a Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Votes: Civic actions that carried weight

Watching an impressive display of testimony, going to an event, or one post, can help so many people learn about something they were not even aware of

The Kasilof River is seen from the Kasilof River Recreation Area, July 30, 2019, in Kasilof, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion)
Opinion: Helicopter fishing a detriment to fish and fishers

Proposal would prohibit helicopter transport for anglers on southern peninsula

The cover of the October 2023 edition of Alaska Economic Trends magazine, a product of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. (Image via department website)
Dunleavy administration’s muzzling of teacher pay report is troubling

Alaska Economic Trends is recognized both in Alaska and nationally as an essential tool for understanding Alaska’s unique economy

Image via weseeyou.community
5 tips for creating a culture of caring in our high schools

Our message: No matter what challenges you’re facing, we see you. We support you. And we’re here for you.

The Alaska State Capitol is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Clarise Larson/Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Vance’s bill misguided approach to Middle East crisis

In arguing for her legislation, Vance offers a simplistic, one-dimensional understanding of the conflict

A rainbow appears over downtown as residents check out rows of electric vehicles at Juneau’s EV & E-bike Roundup on Sept. 23. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: We should all pay more for the privilege of driving

Alaska has the lowest gas tax in the country

tease.
Opinion: Sports saves

ASAA has decided to take a vulnerable subgroup of these youth and reinforce that they are different and unwelcome