Trump Claims That He Hit A Home Run On His Trip: It Was Not For The Home Team

Donald Trump is his own favorite cheerleader.  He announced that he hit a proverbial "home run" on his trip.  It doesn't get any better than that in baseball.  But he did not hit a home run for the home team.  The relationship between the US and Europe has been the key component of US foreign policy since the end of WWll.  He weakened that relationship during his trip.  He scolded our partners in Europe about not paying their fair share for NATO.  His real audience for that message is his political base in the US.  They don't like anything foreign.  He was also critical of our trade policy with Europe.  In particular, it was directed at Germany for selling lots of cars to US consumers.  He suggested that the US and Germany would have to work out a new trade plan.  That only showed his ignorance.  Trade policy between the US and Germany is dictated by our trade policy with Europe.  Angela Merkel spent two days in the presence of The Donald and she told an audience in Germany that its partnership with the US had been tarnished.  She got a standing ovation for one minute after that comment.  The audience knew who she was talking about.  Trump is considered a clown in much of Europe.

So what team did Trump's home run count for?  It was great for his relationship with his "America First" base and it could not have been better for Putin.  Anything that weakens NATO and the US relationship with Europe is consistent with his foreign policy objectives.  Our clown prince will not change his spots.  The damage that he has done, and will continue to do, will damage the US along with the rest of the world.