It has been a week or so since Trump decided to put tariffs on steel and aluminum, from Canada, Mexico and the E U and the reaction was quick and fierce. Trump claimed that he was doing so for " security" reasons, saying to Trudeau, when he questioned that ( in a phone conversation)and stating that Canada has been a close ally militarily and otherwise for over a hundred years, from WW 1 to Afghanistan etc. Trump raised the burning of the White House during the 1812 war ( it was British troops under Ross who had done so, after the Americans had attacked York( now Toronto). It was actually Aug.24, 1814.
     The response came quickly with Canada imposing ta tariffs worth over $16 billion on American products, from steel and aluminum products to pizza, yogurt, coffee, maple syrup, chocolate, strawberry jam, orange juice, playing cards and whiskey/bourbon etc. These are very targeted, affecting many of the States that supported  Trump and continue to do so and where some prominent Republicans like Ryan and McConnell were elected from. The upcoming primaries and mid-term elections are a key.
     The Europeans have also responded with the European Commission president Juncker saying that " this a bad day for world trade. This is protectionism, pure and simple" and the French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire stating the tariffs are " dangerous and unjustified". The Europeans have so far imposed  over $4 billion on products from motor cycles, to Levi's jeans to bourbon. The Mexicans have also levied import taxes on such items as pork bellies, apples, cheese and various types of steel.
     The " targeted" strategy are a good starting point as jobs are threatened and prices are going up. Some powerful interests like the arch-conservative Koch brothers, the American Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Retail Federation have denounced the tariffs as " growth killers".
     China which Trump had accused of "raping" the American economy with its products and which has a huge trade imbalance with U S has so far not been targeted. Instead Trump has been making nice ( his daughter has just obtained more than a dozen deals and Trump himself stand to gain financially from Chinese investments in Indonesian projects that Trump has some stake), with China, which continues to increase its presence in the South China Seas, building bases on man-made islands.
     Trump's " national security" excuse( and it is that) is a cover for his " America First" platform, that he used so successfully to get elected. It is protectionist and destructive and only serve to boost his support among his " base". It may continue to do so, until the combine actions of Canada, Mexico and Europe take hold, increasing prices for consumers from manufacturing to agricultural etc. and threatening employment from California to Colorado( sleeping bags) to Florida( orange juIce) to Kentucky ( bourbon) to Maine( maple syrup)  Michigan to Pennsylvania ( felt pens, ketchup, fridges) to Wisconsin (lawn mowers, cheese, soy sauce) to South Carolina( Zodiac inflatable and sailboats). The list goes on.
     The upcoming G7 meeting in Quebec will be a test,  for TRUMP. Some are already calling it G 6+1. The lines are drawn.

     In a clear vote the United Nations General Assembly voted by a very large  margin of 128-9 to reject establishing embassies in Jerusalem. In a resolution co-sponsored by Turkey and Yemen and against the bulling threats from U S, to " take names" ( Haley ), only the U S, Israel, Guatemala, Honduras, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Togo, cowered while 21 countries, including Canada, Australia, Poland, Mexico etc. abstained . 35 countries stayed away. 
     G B, France, India, Greece, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Spain, Lebanon, China, Russia, Guyana, Barbados, Japan etc. stood up to the American bullying threats and voted in favor of the resolution. 
     One cannot blame the small Pacific Islands or the African and Latin American  countries, who depend so much on American aid for capitulating. 
 The Americans held a 'party" for their " supporters but of them, only Guatemala and Honduras have moved their embassy. 
     A similar resolution was vetoed by the Americans in the Security Council.
     This solves nothing, except exposing the failed tactics( once again) of the U S. The Palestinians continue to suffer and die; peace is nowhere n sight; Israel continues to spend more and more on its security, while  social, economic and other needs are underfunded and the corruption scandals surrounding Netanyahu remain.     

     Trump has threatened on a regular basis to tear up the Iran Nuclear Agreement, that was negotiated and signed by Pres. Obama and Germany, France, Britain and the E U. The deal would ease thew economic sanctions on Iran and in return Iran promise not to continue with its attempt to build  nuclear weapons. 
     Everyone agrees, even the Americans that Iran has kept its promise, but urged on by Netanyahu of Israel, Trump ( who has no liking for Obama ), has said that he will no longer honor America's commitment to it. The Europeans have made various attempts, including the recent visits by Pres Macron and Chancellor Merkl, to try and convince Trump to honor the deal. 
     If Trump goes ahead and take the U S out of the deal, it will have very serious consequences. The Iranian will  re-start  its nuclear program and develop a nuclear arsenal and the world will see other nations, perhaps Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa , even Japan and South Korea do the same for "Deterrence". The North Koreans will definitely carry on their program and any chance of an agreement  will fizzle out. 
     Europe will try to do an end around and try to convince the Iranians to continue to uphold the agreement. They will promise to continue their trade and relationship with Iran, and this will isolate America. it threaten the Europeans and any others who do not toe the American line but the Europeans will stand tough.
     America will lose the hard-earned credibility and respect it regained under Obama. No one will trust their words any future agreements ( Trump has pulled out of the Paris climate accord and from the Asian economic agreement and has threatened to leave NAFTA. Israel will be pleased but it is going to be short-lived as turmoil ramps up in the region ( already Hizbollah has gained electoral strength in Lebanon and militarily in Syria and the Saudis continue their genocidal war in Yemen)
     Little good will come from Trump withdrawal from the Nuclear agreement, but there will be much harm and the world will be a more dangerous place..

     Xi Jinping was unanimously confirmed for his second term as president by the 3,000 delegates at the  National People's Congress ( which had earlier voted to remove term limits on the presidency). In his speech, he immediately warned those opposed to China's march to global supremacy, that they face a " bloody battle"and that China would never be divided, a direct reference to at attempt by Taiwan to seek independence from the mainland. China has sought to unify the self-rule island since its creation by the defeated Nationalist forces (Kuomintang) of Chiang Kai Shek, 1949.
     This very strong nationalist speech was more than celebratory. It was a signal to all, especially those who oppose the Chinese expansion in the South China Sea and particularly the USA and Trump, who has been loudly ( what else) accusing China of unfair trade practices and threatening to impose a yearly tariff of $ 60 billion on Chines products.
     He declared a " new era", for China via " socialism with a Chinese characteristics', which will be achieved with increased military clout ( its budget has been increased) and technological advances, which will turn China into a top innovative country by 2035 and a " modern nation" on par with the US by 2050. " The Chinese people have been indomitable and persistent, we have the spirit of fighting the bloody battle against our enemies to the bitter end", he declared, in the Great Hall to thunderous cheering. The King/Emperor was beaming, as he looked over his fawning /enthusiastic "subjects".
     In the meantime Trump and the American media were titillating the American public with Stormy, Putin's election and the Russia probe.    

     Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada spent a week sight seeing. The trip started badly, when a mere junior minister met him at the airport and ended in a disaster with gaffes, diplomatic tension, and embarrassment.  He was accompanied by among others the Sikhs in his  cabinet ( he once boasted that he had more of them than were in the Indian cabinet, failing to understand that India was a very diverse country of 1.3 billion ),  which raised concern in India as they were seen as supporters of Sikh separatism also as  a convicted attempted murderer (Sikh) was given a private meeting with his wife and that he had been invited to a reception hosted by him ( he was " de-invited" after it became known in the media). Trudeau was more intent on playing " dress-up" as he met with Bollywood's Shah Rukh Khan, visited the Taj Mahal, the Golden Temple of the Sikhs and later the ashram of the Mahatma. No visit to Bangalaru the IT and industrial center where most foreign countries and corporations do business. He finally met India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and announced a business deal of $1 billion, but failed to mention that most of the jobs created,would be in India. 
     French president Emmanuel Macron came to attend the conference of the International Solar Energy ( ISA). He was met at the airport by P M Modi and was "royally" greeted by the Modi bear hug/ embrace. They then proceeded to open the largest solar plant in the state of Mirzapur, covering over 375 acres and capable of producing 75 MW of power, They were greeted by the state governor, were presented with " prasad" ( religious gifts) of red " chunaris" ( cotton stoles), which they both wore, wrapped around their necks, throughout the ceremony, throwing the switch and unveiling a plaque inscribed in Hindi, French and English. 
     They moved on to New Delhi, where the Conference was being held. It was attended by the heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives. There Macron lauded India's efforts to develop and spread solar energy and he pledged $680 million for solar projects in developing countries and tweeted later " we make Delhi this weekend, the world capital of the Sun". He also pledged to help India build the largest nuclear plant, capable of 9.6 gigawatts. 
     He made Modi very happy as the I S A is his brain child. He first proposed it in 2015, at the India /Africa summit in October in Delhi and then again at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris in November. So far 121 countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America are associated with it and 61 have so far joined the Alliance ( 3/4 of the world's population, many lacking in energy). India has so far completed 13 solar projects and has pledged $ 1.4 billion for 27 projects in 15 other developing countries. 
     Pres. Macron came to India to work and promote France ( he did not go to Pondicherry, the last French enclave in India). It was business and he forged a closer relation between France and India. PM Trudeau came to win votes back home ( thus his visit to Punjab and Gujurat, the source of most  Indo-Canadians, and not Bangalaru.) and have a good time. He did and gained little but embarrassment.  

     It began with the Indian government sending the junior agriculture minister to meet him on his arrival and it cascaded into a comedy of errors and diplomatic faux pas. It was more a trip of pleasure and sightseeing and less of what it was purported to be, a trade mission and an opportunity to mend fences over perception of coddling up to Sihk separatists.
     Meeting Bollywood super star Shah Rukh Khan, dressed up in kurta pajama ( his wife in sari), looked out of place and the Indian media was quick to point out that Indians ( formally) wear a suit or a Nehru jacket. Then it was on to the Taj Mahal, pointing out that he was there before but not with father Pierre who was occupied with government business, but that he wanted to be there with his children ( he had no meetings with government officials as yet). Then it was on to Gujarat to visit the Mahatma's ashram ( P M Modi did not accompany him even though he is from that state). Next was a visit to the Golden Temple of the Sikhs ( this time dressed as a Sikh). There were no meetings scheduled with the Chief Minister of Punjab, who had raised concerns about the number of Kalastanis ( supporters of a separate Punjab), in Trudeau's cabinet). He as finally able to meet the Chief Minister and assured him that Canada supports a " united" India ( which of course re-opened the whole issue of Sikh separatism and the seemingly close ties of the Liberals to leading Sikh separatists, like Atwal.
     Jaspal Atwal was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for the attempted assassination of an Indian cabinet minister ( he admitted to have fired the shoes). Yet he was allowed a private meeting with Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau ( wife) and had photos taken with cabinet minister, Sodhi and had also been invited to a dinner held by Trudeau. This was when the media, Indian, Canadian and even CNN and BBC really got into it. Why was this criminal and Sikh separatist/extremist invited? Who invited him? Why was their no vetting by the PMO and CSIS and how was he able to travel to India ( he was banned)? 
     Trudeau loves to do the bangra and he not only attended Sikh's celebration in their temples but he was attended the Kalsa celebration held by Sihk extremists. Politicians of all stripes court voters in the ethnic communities but manage to stay away from trouble. Trudeau and the Liberals seem to be unaware, uninformed or downright oblivious. 
     This trip to India was more about votes than trade. Why? Because rather than visiting Bangalore, the center of technology ( where most international corporations flock to do business), he chose to visit Gujarat and Punjab, people from these Indian states make up most of the 1.4 million Indo-Canadians and live in vote-important Greater Toronto, and Vancouver, that are key to electoral success. So he dressed up , met celebrities, toured important cultural sites and danced.
     This his third foreign fiasco. In China he tried to push his so-called " progressive" agenda and annoyed the Chinese and came home empty-handed. In Vietnam for the TPP meeting to finalize the agreement he angered the Japanese, the Australians and New Zealanders, when he decided at the last minute not to show up ( he was trying to send a message to China, which is not a member of TPP, that he was open to them and he screwed that up  too). 
     India has a population of 1.3 billion, with a middle class of about 400 million and growing . It has an annual  economic growth of nearly 7.5% and is opening up to the world and soon to be the third largest economy. We only  have about $8 billion in trade with them, mostly in lentil and peas ( and India has recently imposed a high duty on them , because of the need to grow its domestic producers). There is an opportunity and it as been set back , because of political opportunism and poor leadership.
    So Trudeau returns home almost empty-handed ( he claimed to have made $ 1 billion in deals but most of that is in India not Canada). He did make a splash, but it was not trade agreements or  closer India/Canada relationship. It was his wardrobe.

     It is the worst of times as the American System grind to a halt as the government is closed as a result of the failure of agree on a budget.  This despite that fact that the Republican party control both Congress and the Presidency. This can only happen this way, in the American System because of the written constitution, with a rigid amending formula and especially the Separation of power and the lax party discipline ( if you can cal the amalgam of groups, political party).
     This cannot happen in the Parliamentary system, with a majority party forming the government. Disraeli's blunt " principles be damned. Support your party". still hold sway, as party discipline is firmly in place. The leader of the party has to sign the nomination papers of all candidates running for the party and the party whip, ensures that they toe the line when a vote comes up. Fusion of Legislative and Executive powers ( where the  majority party form the government and the Prime Minister and his Cabinet ministers are chosen from that party and the members of parliament support whatever the Executive branch legislate.. This ensures stability in power and allows for clarity and consistency in governance ( it is clear what the government is doing and it is held accountable by the Opposition through debates and a Question Period and policies have to be consistent in order to avoid confusion)
     The only time a majority government can be defeated, is by a vote of non-confidence and that can happen only if a majority vote against them. This would need a full scale rebellion from members of the governing party and that does not happen. Discipline is maintained ( political careers and ambitions are at stake) and stability is ensured. 
     Trump boasts of his ability to make a deal is farcical. He may have closed business deals. but this is government and the rules are different. Compromise is what marks a successful government ( even majority governments in a parliamentary system realizes that it has to make compromise at times, even though it does not have, because bringing people together is what a successful government does.) It is not about ego; it is about serving the needs of the people.
     The " shut down" is the biggest and the latest of the many failures that mark the first year of Trump in office. He could not make a deal on the Muslim ban; he could not make a deal on the Wall; he could not make a deal on immigration ( except to threaten to deport the " DREAMERS"; he cannot find people of quality to serve in many vacant positions ( many diplomats are resigning ( the most recent is the ambassador for Panama) and so are many career public servants and some of those he has nominated have withdrawn their names because of poor qualifications and some are poorly qualified to do their jobs, with little or no experience or qualifications like the Education and Energy Sect. or even Tillerson ). North Korea continues to develop its nuclear program and all Trump can come up with is name-calling "rocket-man" etc. Foreign policy is in shambles ( recently NATO ally Turkey launch attack on America- backed and armed Kurdish rebels PKK ( HE GETS NO RESPECT) and NATO and EU has decided to ignore him and his erratic pronouncements. 
     China is rushing in to fill the vacuum, in Africa, Asia, building its Belt and Road ( the new Silk Route), while Trump fulminates. South Korea is making overtures with the North and as el talks and even got the North to sen athletes to the Winter games. Iran increases its influence in Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon and Russia rides high with airbase and port in Syria and remains in Crimea and Ukraine. Trump's one success is Gorsuch on the Supreme Court ( even his decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem was roundly condemned by most of the countries, including all the major players.).  All else is  Failure, and his popularity and job performance keeps dropping, the lowest of any president in recent times. Trump has not made America great. He has diminished it. China is Rising. Russia has respect and North Korea rushes on.

       2017 began with the newly elected president of the US Donald Trump tweeting lies about the inaugural crowd and calling Mexicans "rapists and criminals", and ended with lies about his legislative record, which is the worst in recent years ( even though the Republicans control both Houses and the Supreme Court), with many Executive Orders and just the Tax bill ( which has benefited the wealthy and pauoerized the poor, who will be denied health care and will have to pay higher taxes), and also saying that Nigerians live in "huts" and that Haitians have "aids".
     In between Trump has tweeted about China helping N Korea with oil and not doing enough to counter its nuclear program, while at the same time entertaining Pres. Xi at his golf course and regaling him while his daughters try to win more contracts in China to sell their goods. He declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel ( going against 70 years of policy and the UN founding principles of Israel ...the two-state, pleasing the Zionist Netanyahu and increasing the chances of conflict. He is opposed to the Iran nuclear agreement and has tried to undermine it, while supporting Saudi Arabia and its genocide on Yemen. His ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley threatened to take the names of countries voting against Trump's Jerusalem declaration, but only 7 countries ( Togo, Honduras, Marshall Is, Palau) plus US and Israel sided with US and 128 voted against ( GB, France, Germany...)...talking/threatening loudly, but carrying a small stick. 35 countries, including Canada and Australia abstained and 22 countries did not show up. America's not getting " great" but "weak"
     He started out attacking Europe and NATO and supporting Brexit. He welcomed  PM Theresa May and it was downhill for and the invitation to visit GB has met with stiff opposition. He met Macron and after " buddying up" Macron lost 20 % in the polls. Europe has been very critical of his policies whether towards the Middle East, Iran or Russia.
     In the case of Russia, Trump has praised Putin ( who is expected to win another term), has condemned the American Intelligence services, the FBI and the Mueller investigation into Russian collusion. In the meantime four officials who worked on his campaign have been indicted including his National Security Adviser Flynn, his campaign manager Mannafort. The investigation continues even though there is  constant pressure from Trump and some Republicans.  Many more of those associated with his campaign , including his son-in law Kushner have been or are being questioned.
     In the Middle East, Russia holds sway. With Iran and Hizbollah, they have blunted ISIL and have kept Assad in power and Russia has a much-wanted presence with an air field, military ases and a warm weather port. The US, Israel and Saudi Arabia are not happy. The Iran nuclear deal has allowed Iran to improve its economy ( even though there have been protests recently, allegedly stirred up by the CIA and Mossad.
     The North Korean have defied Trump and his any threats to reduce them to rubble. Tests continue and China is very wary of an unstable North as that would mean millions of refugees flooding in. It as recently been accused by Trump of not upholding the embargo and supplying much need oil to the North. Japan and S.Korea are on pins and needles, both over the tests and Trump's bluster.
     In Europe, Angela Merkel is still trying to form a coalition government,.She is the steady hand of Europe as Macron faces problems with his "reforms" with decreasing popularity and unions opposition. In Britain, May continue to muddle on with opposition within her party and the Irish Question ( what to do about Northern Ireland and its border with the Irish Republic...should it be soft or hard. It is also one of the stumbling points in the Brexit talks). These talks continue but the issues of payments, relationship, trade and financial, and the tens of thousands  of expats in Britain and Europe). It has a way to go and it will not be easy.
     China is riding high. With its Belt and Road, its  investment in Asia ,Australia and Africa and Pres. XI firmly in control, it looks like China has indeed RISEN, getting wealthier.and more stable. It is filling up the space left by Trump's withdrawal. 
     So Russia and China are more and more confident as America withdraws from the world, becoming more and more self-centered and isolationist, with the incompetent and divisive Trump, whether it be climate change, NATO, TPP, NAFTA , Jerusalem , Iran or North Korea. The world moves on.  

     THE SELF-PROCA
​LAIMED ZIONIST GOVERNMENT OF BENJAMIN NETANYAHU HAS POKED THE OTHER EYE OF THE PALESTINIANS BY NAMING ASUBWAQY STATION IN EAST JERUSALEM AFTER TRUMP. THIS IS TYPICAL OF NETANYAHU, WHO WANTS TO DEFLECT FROM THE ONGOING CORRUPTIONS CHARGES AGAINSTHIM AND NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
​     THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY VOTED 14-1 TO REJECT THE US/TRUMP MOVE OF THE ANERICAN EMBASSY. THE US USED ITS VETO POWER. THE MATTER WENT TO THE                   



 

,     In November 1947 when the United Nations voted to create the state of Israel, it also voted for a Palestinian state, with Jerusalem as a separate entity. In March 1949, after the first Israeli-Arab war ends, Israel was in control of  West Jerusalem and Jordan, of East Jerusalem. In Jan. 1950 Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital, but no country recognized it. Then after the Six Day War, Israel occupied East Jerusalem and then in July 1980 annexed it. The UN Security Council voted to reject Israel's annexation. 
     The United States has for the past 70 years never accepted, to move its embassy to Jerusalem, even though the US Congress, in 1995, passed a law to move the embassy, unless  the President signs a waiver. No president did until Trump.
     He had campaigned to do so and after he won, he made his son-in law Jared Kushner, a 36 year old, with no experience or education in foreign policy but a Zionist ( believe in the idea of Greater Israel...Eretz Israel, that the land is totally Jewish, an Orthodox Jew and major contributor to Israeli settlements on the West Bank. He was not only unqualified but clearly biased and driven by religious zeal. 
     Dec. 2017 and Trump has poured gasoline on the fire and the Muslim/ Arab world is joined by all other countries ( with the exception of Taiwan, Vanuatau). Netanyahu, the Israeli PM and a believer of Zionism ( very much influenced by his father, a leader in that movement), deliriously declared it " a historic day for Zionism" ( once voted in the UN as " Racism" as it excludes all non-Jews).   
     Trump sent his vice-president, the religious fundamentalist Pence, on a charm offensive to the Middle East but he was rebuffed by all leaders,who refused to meet him and Trump's gambit of photo ops with smiling Arab leaders, fell flat. The crown prince of US ally, Abu Dhabi said " it extended a life line to terrorists"and indeed it is as it will be used as a recruiting device in the roiling streets.
     Netanyahu has launched a European selling tour and in France, his first stop he was told by Pres. Macron that it is " a danger to peace". The next stop is a meeting with the foreign ministers of the 28 in Brussels and Europe has called for a detailed plan from Trump, who of course does not have one. There is a meeting of the Security Council and Trump's mouth piece, Nikki Halley has attacked the UN as being responsible for there not being peace. She is ignorant of US/UN history or just lying for her boss. 
     This action by Trump breaks international law; goes against UN resolutions supported by the US and the Security Council. He is a known Muslim-hater and has repeatedly tried to ban Muslims from entering the US ( his executive orders have been struck down by the courts but he keeps making them). Even the autocratic leader of Turkey has come out with a blistering attack  and there is a battle of vitriol between him and Netanyahu. 
     The Pope has expressed " deep concern", and British PM MAY, calls it " unhelpful" and "the British embassy is based in Tel Aviv and have no plans to move it". Marco Rubio and some Jewish lawmakers support the move but not Nancy Pelosi who calls it "premature" and warned of "mass protests".
     Those protests have broken out. The streets of Palestine....West Bank, Gaza are erupting and From Pakistan to Indonesia to Morocco to  Lebanon and in the Middle East and elsewhere and it will get worse. Already there has been one bomb attempt in New York
      Trump has sown the winds of division and the whirlwind of violence is forming.