The New Statesman: politics and culture All hail Emperor Trump | Politics with Tom McTague
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Jul 28, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Megan Gibson, the International Editor at The New Statesman, delves into Donald Trump's recent Scotland visit and his meetings with global leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Keir Starmer. They explore Trump's 'bully-boy' tactics in trade negotiations and the mixed responses from European leaders. The conversation highlights the fractured unity among allies, Canada’s ambitions for EU ties, and the implications of Trump's unique brand of transactional diplomacy on worldwide alliances.
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Global Strategies Against Trump
- Different countries use vastly different strategies against Trump's trade tactics, from Canada's firm retaliation to UK's softer, cooperative approach.
- These strategies reflect each nation's perception of their primary threat, impacting their willingness to confront Trump.
Threat Perception Shapes Responses
- Canada's aggressive stance against Trump's tariffs stems from a direct threat to sovereignty, unlike the UK’s softer approach and the EU’s balancing act against Russia.
- These national threat perceptions explain differing responses and willingness to confront US trade policies.
Power and Dependency in Trade
- The EU is weakened by its dependence on American defense, limiting its ability to resist Trump despite its economic power.
- Britain's perceived "better deal" is actually a sign of its economic weakness and dependency on the US.