Trump on Trump – A glimpse at the President-elect’s plans

[webfact]

Trump on Trump – A glimpse at the President-elect’s plans

Luke Barber

NEW YORK: -- With just days to go until the official inauguration ceremony, President-elect Donald Trump gave the European press a taste of things to come for the first time since his election.

 

Speaking to Kai Diekmann of the German tabloid newspaper and The Times of London’s Michael Gove – the sacked Justice Secretary of the UK who was a key figure in the Vote Leave campaign – Trump gave his vision for the immediate future.

 

First on the agenda: offering President Putin a “deal”.

 

Russia and the Obama administration have been at each others throats somewhat in recent weeks and Trump hopes to succeed where his predecessor did not, by brokering an amicable truce.

 

The President-elect seemed to suggest a cooling of the tension between the two nations.

 

His proposition? To potentially end US sanctions imposed on Russia in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal with Moscow.

“They have sanctions on Russia — let’s see if we can make some good deals with Russia,” the Republican told the Times.

 

“For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially, that’s part of it. But Russia’s hurting very badly right now because of sanctions, but I think something can happen that a lot of people are gonna benefit.”

 

The two countries are the world’s largest nuclear powers, having between them over 3,000 deployed warheads – he US has 1,367 and Russia has 1,796, according to the US State Department.

 

Pulling no punches

 

But Trump was not all praise. He was highly critical of Russia’s intervention in Syria, calling it a “very bad thing” that had led to a “terrible humanitarian situation”.

 

However, while he did not hold back when criticising Russia, his comments on other world leaders were a little more inflammatory.

 

Despite his the Obama administrations healthy relationship with Angela Merkel, Trump heavily criticised the German Chancellor for her open doors immigration property, saying she had made a “catastrophic mistake” by admitting more than a million migrants.

 

“I had great respect for her, I felt she was a great great leader. I think she made one very catastrophic mistake and that was taking all of these illegals,” he said.

 

He added that he would start off trusting Merkel and Putin, but reiterated that that may not last long.

 

A slither of hope for post-Brexit Britain

 

But it was his offer of a swift trade deal with Britain after his inauguration that will put Prime Minister Theresa May’s post-Brexit nerves at ease.

 

Although yet another British politician – and another prominent Brexiteer at that – meeting with Trump before her could be another thorn in Mrs May’s side, Trump’s apparent urgency to maintain the relationship between the US and Britain will offer some solace.

 

“We’re going to work very hard to get it done quickly and done properly,” he said.

 

He praised the UK for its vote to leave the EU – which he said had become a “vehicle for Germany” – and said he thinks that other countries are sure to follow in Britain’s footsteps.

 

Proof is in the presidency

 

It has been a long campaign filled with outlandish – and often contentious – statements from the President-elect.

 

Another interview in which Trump made inflammatory comments about another nation or leader will not come as a surprise to many.

 

However, with the campaign trail left behind him, the Republican will have to cut back on the bold promises.

 

After Friday’s inauguration, he will have to start turning those words into actions.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2017-01-17

[optad]

Trump is a wind up doll. Feed him twenty simple words or less, push him forward and he will bang on and on. There is no idea there. 

 

This a case where you do ---- the messenger.

[otherstuff1957]

I like the idea of using Nuclear arms reduction as a negotiating point.  We could get something we need by getting rid of something that nobody needs.

 

Most of Trump's stated polices are actually not that extreme.  The problem with Trump is that he is far too erratic and sensitive to make a good president.

[optad]

6 minutes ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I like the idea of using Nuclear arms reduction as a negotiating point.  We could get something we need by getting rid of something that nobody needs.

 

Most of Trump's stated polices are actually not that extreme.  The problem with Trump is that he is far too erratic and sensitive to make a good president.

Agree, but..... Two weeks ago though,  he was all for a new nuclear weapons program. He cannot sell a consistant message.

Edited January 17, 2017 by optad

[WaywardWind]

The article does not accurately reflect what Trump said in the interview, and was edited to make him sound more knowledgeable than the transcript actually reveals.

 

http://occasionalplanet.org/2017/01/16/trumps-london-times-transcript-said-vs-reported/

 

The full transcript is available, but you have to register (free) in order to read the complete version:

 

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/full-transcript-of-interview-with-donald-trump-5d39sr09d

 

 

[Cats4ever]

I think Trump could benefit from the advice of a predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". The first part of the advice seems to be beyond him, and given his infantile statements earlier in the campaign, the latter doesn't appear to be a goer either.

[KarenBravo]

Russia has 7000 warheads. Sanctions lifted in exchange for an 80% reduction (which they won't do), still leaves them with 1400 warheads. Still enough to annihilate a country. Seems like a win-win for Russia.

[maoro2013]

1 hour ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I like the idea of using Nuclear arms reduction as a negotiating point.  We could get something we need by getting rid of something that nobody needs.

 

Most of Trump's stated polices are actually not that extreme.  The problem with Trump is that he is far too erratic and sensitive to make a good president.

And what was the other choice. Someone who has the need to maintain a fund to finance the continually ongoing legal issues of herself and husband!!

[pitrevie]

23 minutes ago, maoro2013 said:

And what was the other choice. Someone who has the need to maintain a fund to finance the continually ongoing legal issues of herself and husband!!

 

You really need to move on and accept that Trump is now going to be the President.

[IAMHERE]

The USA has many more enemies (and some frenemies) than Russia has so the USA needs more nuclear weapons than the Russian's do.  The option to build a neutron bomb should be heavily explored too.

[Ireland32]

2 hours ago, pitrevie said:

 

You really need to move on and accept that Trump is now going to be the President.

We are Not Sheep, he will be held accountable...

[optad]

1 minute ago, Ireland32 said:

We are Not Sheep, he will be held accountable...

I am laying odds he gets impeached before the fours years are done.

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

But Russia’s hurting very badly right now because of sanctions

Recently he said just the opposite with Putin contadicting Trump by saying the sanctions did hurt.

Nice to see Trump is now using Putin's script.

The new TV series, The  President with V. Putin as Executive Producer & Director.

[louse1953]

3 hours ago, pitrevie said:

 

You really need to move on and accept that Trump is now going to be the President.

Impeachment just around the corner.The man is a disgrace.

[elgordo38]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

It has been a long campaign filled with outlandish – and often contentious – statements from the President-elect.

The few positive comments he made were completely wiped out by the above statement " long campaign filled with outlandish – and often contentious – statements from the President-elect."

[Redline]

6 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

I like the idea of using Nuclear arms reduction as a negotiating point.  We could get something we need by getting rid of something that nobody needs.

 

Most of Trump's stated polices are actually not that extreme.  The problem with Trump is that he is far too erratic and sensitive to make a good president.

What does the US need from Russia? Not oil, tech, food, resources...they don't make anything we need.  It would be nice to get along, but a harder line is needed, not a softer one.

[Redline]

56 minutes ago, louse1953 said:

Impeachment just around the corner.The man is a disgrace.

I hope the CIA puts him in prision

[Redline]

5 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Russia has 7000 warheads. Sanctions lifted in exchange for an 80% reduction (which they won't do), still leaves them with 1400 warheads. Still enough to annihilate a country. Seems like a win-win for Russia.

It's a con job by Trump.  Once Trump let's Russian spies roam free in the US, the country will be smashed.

[Redline]

4 hours ago, pitrevie said:

 

You really need to move on and accept that Trump is now going to be the President.

Trump still has many lawsuits against him~more than any in history by far.   I don't think anyone is doubting he is going to be president?  Did anyone on here indicate that?  He is going to be an incompetent president however.  That, most can agree on.

[pitrevie]

1 hour ago, louse1953 said:

Impeachment just around the corner.The man is a disgrace.

 

I wouldn't disagree with your last comment in the least but for some reason almost every time someone mentions his disgraceful behavior we keep getting deflected. Trump supporters now have to accept that Trump will be president in a short while.

[pitrevie]

Just now, Redline said:

Trump still has many lawsuits against him~more than any in history by far.   I don't think anyone is doubting he is going to be president?  Did anyone on here indicate that?  He is going to be an incompetent president however.  That, most can agree on.

 

I think you have not read my comment in the spirit it was intended. Perhaps if you read my previous post it will be clearer.

[pitrevie]

2 hours ago, Ireland32 said:

We are Not Sheep, he will be held accountable...

 

I see that my comment was misunderstood. I was replying to a comment that was trying to deflect from Trump's conduct by once again rattling on about Clinton and pointing out that its time Trump supporters gave up on that and accept their man is now president.

[Tchooptip]

Another "glimpse" at Donald Trump

 

[In the jungle]

Putin's plan.  Putin's puppet.  Sad!

 

 

[overherebc]

7 hours ago, optad said:

Agree, but..... Two weeks ago though,  he was all for a new nuclear weapons program. He cannot sell a consistant message.

 

Don't think I am aware of any politician that can lately.

[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

To potentially end US sanctions imposed on Russia in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal with Moscow.

Russia has increased its nuclear arms capabilities vs a static EU/US capability.

And Trump's idea of a great deal is to offer a ban on US sanctions  in return to have Russia reducetake its weapon capability back to where it was (ie., pre-election).  US gets nothing and Russia gets the cake.

[dunroaming]

Not long to wait now before he can actually put some meat on the bones.  It will be interesting to see how much of the waffle is turned into actions. It is hard to follow him when he changes his story every other day.  Obviously actions speak louder than words

[dunroaming]

The sheep were looking into the next field where the grass seemed so much greener. The gate was open and in they rushed to find that rather than a field of sweet grass it was actually a swamp.  Of course things would be better if the farmer drained the swamp for them but instead he has made it swampier than ever.

[PeeJay1959]

13 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Russia has 7000 warheads. Sanctions lifted in exchange for an 80% reduction (which they won't do), still leaves them with 1400 warheads. Still enough to annihilate a country. Seems like a win-win for Russia.

7000 total, 1700 active/

[elgordo38]

8 hours ago, Redline said:

What does the US need from Russia? Not oil, tech, food, resources...they don't make anything we need.  It would be nice to get along, but a harder line is needed, not a softer one.

A friend maybe? just a guess.