Don’t bet against Mr Trump in ‘stupid’ war

FROM the outset, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker had called Mr Trump’s trade plans “stupid”, but added with wearied certainty the EU would have no choice but to retaliate. “We can also do stupid,” he warned. President Macron of France and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – who both famously exchanged hugs with Mr Trump – have also struggled to come to grips with an appropriate working relationship with him, aiming for something between “bromance” or “worst best friends”. They too have failed.

After Mr Trump launched his steel tariffs, Mr Trudeau fired back with tariffs on US exports of everything from whiskey to motorboats to orange juice. He said the legal basis of tariffs – US national security – was an affront to Canadian soldiers who died fighting alongside Americans in numerous global battles.

“Let me be clear: These tariffs are totally unacceptable,” a visibly frustrated Mr Trudeau declared, branding the measures inconceivable and deplorable. Mr Macron reminded Washington: “Economic nationalism leads to war. This is exactly what happened in the 1930s.”

Mr Trump’s attempt to justify tariffs by invoking national security is typically fatuous and disingenuous. As is always the case, the motivation was an ill-advised promise to his base to protect US jobs. This too is spurious.

‘America First’ policies that pit the US against the EU, China, Mexico and Canada guarantee the economies of all concerned will suffer. Randomly slapping tariffs on steel and aluminium imports will inevitably provoke retaliatory measures which will hurt American consumers too.

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said the tariffs are “further weakening the transatlantic relations”. Starting a war no side can win should be too much even for Republicans but if, as Mr Juncker suggests, it is all about “doing stupid”, it would be unwise to bet against Mr Trump.