President Trump is no fan of the European Union. He has repeatedly claimed that the bloc was created to “screw” America, has pledged to slap big tariffs on its cars, and this week enacted global steel and aluminum levies that are expected to hit some $28 billion in exports from the bloc.
But for months, E.U. officials hoped that they could bring the American president around, avoiding a painful trade war. They tried placating the administration with easy wins — like ramped-up European purchasing of U.S. natural gas — while pushing to make a deal.
It is now becoming clear that things won’t be that simple.
Trump used to be rather transactional, though.
It’s an evil logic, but there was an internal logic behind what he did in his first term. He bullied you into submission, and agreed to a deal if he thought it benefits him (him, not the USA).
Now, he’s just on full autodestruct. There’s zero logic behind it. Not even chaotic franticness like before, just erratic randomness.
He has a deal with Putin. Putin can afford it.