Bigger picture…

While we obsess about taking ourselves out of Europe or the even more absurd hiving off of Scotland from the UK, the future is being shaped by the rivalry between America and China.

Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs are simply payback for his supporters in the US “Rust Belt”. The 21st century economic battle will certainly not be about metal but the new technologies.

The fact that China is pursuing that strategy on the back of stolen US technology and intellectual property is telling. Silicon Valley’s blend of innovation and finance will be hard to beat.

In comparison, the SNP’S Growth Commission report is trivial. Its only effect will be to kick the prospects for Scottish independence into the long grass, but for that it deserves much thanks.

(REV DR) JOHN CAMERON Howard Place, St Andrews

The letter sent to President Trump by Kim Jong-un seems a very large one which surely might contain many warm words and a great number of suggestions on how to become friends and denuclearise the Korean region.

The reality is that probably, like Trump’s giant signature, it’s just an example of a giant ego that may only have a slender grasp of reality.

Let’s hope that the largesse shown here is a giant step towards peace and stability.

DENNIS FITZGERALD Melbourne, Australia