The Bunker – News without the nonsense Trump’s blackmail: A fool’s ransoms – Start Your Week with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis
Jan 19, 2026
Rafael Behr, a Guardian columnist and political commentator, joins Jacob Jarvis to dissect Trump’s recent international maneuvers. They delve into the seriousness of Trump's tariff threats and explore Europe's response options, weighing appeasement against retaliation. The discussion highlights making Trump uncomfortable through economic strategies and critiques his tyrannical tendencies. They also address the hollow nature of Trump's Greenland ambitions and the implications for UK politics, including Keir Starmer's strategic choices.
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Rhetoric Can Be Real Risk
- Trump’s statements must be taken seriously because there is no clear line between rhetoric and action.
- Threats of tariffs may be bluster but still force global responses while they remain plausible.
Avoid One-Off Concessions
- Do not accept short-term deals with Trump as permanent solutions because he can return for more.
- Consider stronger reciprocal measures rather than one-off concessions to prevent repeated coercion.
Escalate Calmly Like China
- China handled trade pressure by calmly using economic levers rather than rhetorical escalation.
- Europe could emulate measured escalation to deter repeated US coercion even if it costs them short-term.