July 13, 2018Gronda Morin

US President Trump Is Leaving The UK On A Better Note Than At The Start

On July 13, 2018, the republican President Donald Trump ended up showing his Dr Henry Jekyll side instead of his Mr. Edward Hyde self that has been on display for the past few days.

At their joint press conference, he spoke in very gracious and complimentary terms about his host, Prime Minister Theresa May which was in stark contrast to what he had stated in an interview with a local news outlet, The Sun owned by his buddy, Rupert Murdoch. He specifically countered the Sun report were he was quoted, that if the UK engages in trade agreements with the EU countries that the US would not be in the trade business with the UK. He is now indicating that of course the US would negotiate trade deals with the UK without limiting it to agree on trade deals with other countries including those in the EU (European Union).

The Sun interview, where President voiced criticisms about the Prime Minister’s soft Brexit plan, became public on the evening of the 12th of July when President Trump and the First Lady Melania were being hosted by Prime Minister Theresa May and her husband, Phillip, at a black tie dinner with lots of pomp and circumstance at the home of Winston Churchill  at Blenheim Palace. To say that the president couldn’t have committed a worse diplomatic faux pas is not an overstatement.

Theresa May and Trump speak behind their respective podiums

Prime Minister Theresa May and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a joint press conference following their meeting at Chequers. Photo: Jack Taylor/Getty Images.On July 13, 2018, Zachary Basu of Axios penned the following report, “Highlights from Trump and Theresa May’s joint press conference” (Jonathan Swan of Axios was one of the reporters who asked one of the questions at the US President Trump-UK’s Theresa May joint press conference.) 

Excerpts:

“President Trump, speaking at a joint press conference with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May Friday, dismissed the notion that his repeated criticism of NATO countries will help boost Russian President Vladimir Putin’s position ahead of their upcoming meeting in Helsinki on Monday, adding that the U.S. has “been far tougher on Russia than anybody.”

Image result for photos of trump at windsor castle
BABY TRUMP BLIMP

Axios’ Jonathan Swan emails from Chequers: Trump “has still not been specific about what he wants to achieve from his meeting with Putin. I asked Trump to tell us the three or four things he wanted to achieve from his meeting with Putin and he just listed topic areas — ‘Ukraine,’ ‘Syria,’ ‘non-proliferation,’ etc. A senior European official told me that when he tried to get an agenda or even goals for the meeting the White House response was very vague.”

President Trump and PM May’s comments:

Addressing Russia

“”That’s dishonest reporting … We have been far tougher on Russia than anybody, than anybody. Look I’m not gonna go down 100 years, but we’ve been extremely tough on Russia.”
— President Trump
  • “Helsinki agenda: Trump, in addition to saying rattling off vague discussion topics, said he will “absolutely” bring up the question of election meddling in his conversations with Putin. “I’m not going in with high expectations, but we may come out with some very surprising things.”
  • Theresa May said that both she and Trump “agree that it is important to engage Russia from a position of strength and unity, and that we should continue to deter and counter all efforts to undermine our democracies.”
  • “The Prime Minister would agree, “if we have a good relationship with Russia, and with China, and with other countries, that’s a good thing,” said Trump.
  • “President Obama failed very badly with Crimea,” Trump said, dodging questions on how Moscow’s occupation of the country affects U.S.-Russia relations. “I don’t think we would’ve done that if I were president…I’m not bad at doing things…so lets see what happens. But this was an Obama disaster.”

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NATO summit

  • Spending requirements: “The UK is one of a handful of nations… in addition to the U.S. meeting the 2% GDP minimum defense spending commitment,” Trump said, adding that May was “right there with me” on pushing others to increase spending.”
  • “I can’t overestimate how big the meeting with NATO was,” Trump continued. “I mean, they had spirit..I’ll tell you what, every single person in that room was gung-ho to get it done, get the money in.”
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MERKEL(L)/ TRUMP (R)
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel: “I have a great relationship with Angela,” Trump said, before criticizing her on immigration: “It’s not politically correct, but I’ll say it, anyway. I think they better watch themselves because you are changing culture, you are changing a lot of things … It’s a very sad situation. It’s very unfortunate.”
  • Nord Stream II pipeline: To me, it’s a tragedy. It’s a horrific thing being done … I believe Germany is going to be getting 50, 60, or even I’ve heard numbers of 70% of their energy from Russia. (It is 9%.) How can you be working for peace and working from strength when someone has that kind of power over your country?…You’ve given up all your strength.”

See: Full text: Donald Trump-Theresa May press conference – POLITICO

QUEEN ELIZABETH II

For the rest of the afternoon on the 13th of July 2018, President Trump and the First Lady will be enjoying the afternoon tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle where they will receive the royal treatment.

Then the President and the First Lady will head off to Scotland for a rest and for him to play some golf before they follow up on plans to meet with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

18 comments

    • Dear Holly,

      I’ve been thinking that he has been all over the place to where your explanation makes perfect sense.

      But now that I know about the DOJ’s indictments issued today against specific Russian operators working for the GRU (like US CIA) takes away the president’s ability to live in denial regarding Russia’ involvement in US elections.

      This was done just in time for President Trump’s meeting with Russia’s President Putin. This solid proof neuters President Trump’s ability to give away anything to Putin in the upcoming summit.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I’d say – from stats re surveys – Putin here is more popular the him. A terrible shame, there’s nothing wrong with, and we/I like Americans.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Zoolon,

      President Putin is indeed more popular in Russia than President Trump is in the USA but President Putin controls the press but President Trump only wishes he did.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

      • True enough, Gronda. I sometimes crisscross between RTNews & Fox and wonder what the world would be like if news channels just reported news without subtle adapted lies like RT or ‘in your face’ lies like Fox. I guess one of the few things we do well in the UK – maybe the only thing, thinking about it – is through the BBC – without commercial pressures – report more or less news without opinions.

        Anyway, this post of your was seriously thought provoking. It is odd how us Brits prefer Putin to Trump. Both bad. I’ll look forward to reading some more. Thanks ~ Zoolon aka George

        Liked by 1 person

        • Dear George,

          I don’t trust either President Trump or President Putin but at least President Putin is at least sane and knowledgeable whereas, President Trump is neither.

          You do what I do, I read news items from the left to the right and in between. I am a BBC fan.

          Thank you for your gracious feedback.

          Hugs, Gronda

          Liked by 1 person

  3. Breaking News:

    Mueller Indicts 12 Russian Spies for Hacking in 2016 Campaign

    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mueller-indicts-12-russian-spies-160823889.html

    Sadly SC Mueller doesn’t offer any real substantial proof that the GRU are responsible. He basically is asking the American public to take his word for it. OK, Mr. Mueller you are not helping the cause, Trump and Putin are simply going to deny deny deny. And the American public are becoming weary of your allegations. Give us something, anything, a little hope that you have the goods on Trump. Midterm election are coming and we need your help!

    Like

    • Dear 1EartUnited,

      If I were President Trump, I would give President Putin a copy of the indictment so he can indulge in some interesting bed time reading.

      You have to read the indictment as there is lots of substance and it is an impressive bit of work. Of course, Mr. Mueller will not reveal more than he needs to, in order to present a convincing case.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

      • Agreed, for leverage as any good negotiator would do, he should hand that indictment to Putin. But knowing full well Putin wouldn’t bite, and Trump’s not really serious about pressing this issue.

        I did read the indictment, and it seems to be a repeat of the previous indictment . Lots of charges but no smoking gun. I understand Mueller is still building a case, and this is just a bone to throw at the Russian meeting, something for Putin to chew on. Not that it will make any difference.

        I look forward to the conclusion of Mueller’s case, and hopefully will lead to the impeachment of the notorious Orange One! 🙂

        Like

    • Dear Nan,

      The president does operate in a black and white world. There have to be winners and losers and if you are not in his camp, by definition you are a loser.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

    • Dear Kim,

      There is no way President Trump should be permitted to carry-on a one-on-one meeting with President Putin on Monday, the 16th of July 2018, without a note-taker or a credible witness unless the IC community has taken steps to record whatever is said.

      For all we know, President Trump could be setting up the US for Russia to interfere in US elections again in Nov. 2018, so the democrats do not end up becoming the majority party in the US Congress.

      The above scenario is just conjecture, but the point is, that we cannot take the chance that he will betray the interests of the USA because he is somehow beholden to President Putin.

      Hugs, Gronda

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Usfman,

      He is just the star of his own reality show and he just loves to wing it. He will be the headlines grabber in any set of circumstances. He gives new meaning to the Shakespearean phrase, “All the world’s a stage.”

      Hugs, Gronda

      Like

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