Mariner, you’re missing the point.
1. YES, it’s sensible to make wealthy nations pay more for their own defense.
2. NO, it shows complete lack of understanding of TRUE STATESMANSHIP when Trump chestbeats about how “China & Japan are taking money from us.” He actually said that. Incredulous!! And the lame, cavalier way he says “Good luck, have a nice time...” [if Japan & SK get in a war with the Norks]. That sounds like abandonment. There are better, more diplomatic ways to say it and Trump blew it again.
I’ve been to Japan 5 times and my wife is Japanese. I know how his soundbytes play on NHK television for the people of Japan. You don’t insult your allies with senseless poorly-articulated accusations.
Although Trump is the best choice, and I’d vote for him, he’s no Ronald Reagan. He needs to pay for some handlers to soften his unnecessarily rough edges.
Yes, some of his rough edges are fantastic (fighting Political correctness), but not these types of international gaffes.
Except he didn't say that.
| ...Trump chestbeats about how “China & Japan are taking money from us.”... I think Trump is doing nothing more than telling the rest of the world that America is no longer the patsy when it comes to negotiating trade deals. Sure, my Japanese wife is also anxious about what Trump is saying. And the NHK television station, being owned by the Japanese government, will certainly look to defend Japan's self interest. Trump's chest-beating is having the desired affect: getting people's attention. So he's set up the right climate for the negotiations to take place. America will better look after its self-interests now. If the Midwest and Eastern states of the US get their Toyotas made in Lexington, Kentucky, why can't the West Coast get its Toyotas from a Japanese owned plant in Nevada or Arizona. I think this is the result Trump wants to achieve. And Trump will absolutely fight the movement to make Mexico the new manufacturing hub of the United States. |