Trump Roller Coasters

Life with Trump is never dull, and not only for Americans. Many folks worldwide wake up every morning to see what else this guy has prepared for them. His latest tariff escapades rattled the markets, corporations, billionaires, and ordinary stockholders.

Still, after many economists warned of recession risks, only a few hours after imposing steep tariffs on dozens of America’s trading partners, he announced that nearly all of them would be paused for 90 days and that he might consider exempting some U.S. companies from these tariffs.

However, nearly every U.S. trading partner instead faces a 10 percent blanket tariff, on top of 25 percent tariffs on cars, steel, and aluminum — but China, which had sharply retaliated, will have an even higher 125 percent tariff, up from the 104 percent figure proposed yesterday. A tariff fight between two major economies might affect many other nations.

While Joe Biden and the European Union were willing to disburse billions in support of Ukraine, Trump has decidedly changed course: he wants his money back, if not in cash, at least in the form of mineral resources.

Regrettably, in addition to financial turmoil, his pledges to end the war in Ukraine quickly are shifting together with the rhetoric. One day, he blames Zelensky, the next day, Putin, then threatens bad news for both.  Putin takes it calmly, and his team continues to emphasize some progress.

On the other hand, Zelensky, encouraged by Europeans and, as some folks in the know say, by certain strong substances, keeps arguing. One must admit that his cynical arguments are not without reasoning. The US and the West hired him to bring Ukraine to a sacrificial altar as a mercenary country to weaken Russia, and he and his team want to be paid for this. Biden and the EU were ready to do this for as long as it takes, but Trump reversed the course and wants money back, if not in cash, then at least in minerals.

Of course, one’d assume it is something new in the mercenary business. Once you hire them, you are not asking to pay back, whether they do a good or bad job. I could be wrong, and maybe we should ask someone like Black Waters’ boss, Eric Prince, what the procedure is in such cases. He was hired to do the dirty work for the US in Iraq, and judging from the results, it didn’t go well. Was he asked to return the money? I doubt it.

Besides, most mineral and agricultural lands already belong to Ukrainian and Western oligarchs. For example, Trump can ask his new cabinet member Robert F. Kennedy about Black Rock. “Few people understand what the war in Ukraine means for big business—namely, opportunity. It’s not just the weapons and reconstruction contracts. Ukraine’s vast agricultural lands—among the most fertile in the world—are up for grabs, and American companies like BlackRock are at the front of the line,” says RFK, Jr.

Since bringing Europeans and Zelensky to their senses at this time is almost impossible, let us start with the former allies, the US and Russia, to lay the foundation for the peace process, and the months of April and May have symbolic 80th-anniversary dates for both countries that are appropriate for this purpose: April 25 and May 8-9, 1945.

On April 25, 1945, soldiers of the Red and the US Armies met on the bridge over the Elbe River in the city of Torgau on the eve of their joint victory two weeks later over the NAZI Germany. Eighty years ago, the “Spirit of Elbe” was born. For many Russians, Americans, and people worldwide who started the international movement with this name, it serves as a beacon of hope for all those who want the two countries to work together to benefit both nations and humanity.

Five years ago, Trump and Putin said the following on that day: “The ‘Spirit of the Elbe’ is an example of how our countries can put aside differences, build trust, and cooperate in pursuit of a greater cause. As we work today to confront the most important challenges of the 21st century, we pay tribute to the valor and courage of all those who fought together to defeat fascism. Their heroic feat will never be forgotten.”

Trump talks about his interest in the summit with Putin but keeps delaying the date while Moscow is ready.  The dates of the Elbe Reunion and V-Day celebrations are perfect to schedule this summit and resolve the remaining differences, at least between the two countries. Then, work to bring others to the table.