So this past 7 days or so, we’ve had Trump threatning war and other things. NATO sending soldiers to Greenland, and the Trump administration getting angry about it.
We’ve also seen the lowest, most humiliating and embarrasing thing a politician has perhaps ever done. Writing a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister (who doesn’t hand out Nobel peace prizes), saying that because his country had failed to give him the Nobel Peace Prize, he was no longer purely interested in peace. The MAGA crowd must have a humiliation fetish, because if a Democratic president had done it, they would have simply exploded, but since it’s Trump they must defend it to the death. Downright embarrasing.
We’ve also had the Trump administration putting tariffs on European countries until he gets Greenland. Everyone getting angry at it. Trade deal is cancelled! But some European politicians want to negotiate away this latest round of tarrifs. One wonders what the point of that would be. Spend a great of deal energy getting him to back down only for us to wake up 2 months later with a different excuse for slapping tarriffs on the EU?
Some politicians, like Emmanuel Macron, wants to use the so-called Trade Bazooka to retaliate. It might sting a bit, but at least the EU has the new Mercosur trade agreement. Replace exports to America with Latin America. Bom dia, it’s time to sell! Viva la libertad!
Markets didn’t like Trumps rhetoric and freaked out. All red across the board.
But then came Davos. Emmanuel Bazooka Man Macron showed up complete with a sharp suit and sunglasses (not to be cool, but because of a swollen eye, but it was cool) and gave a speech in which he warned us to stand up for the rule of law and against bullies.
As Trump was travelling towards Davos, power went out on the Danish island of Bornholm. Was it the Russians? Market freaked out even more about the rhetoric against Greenland. Danish F-35 jets patrolled Greenland with the help of French tankers.
Then Trump gave his speech. He ruled out using force (ha-ha-ha), and markets calmed and rose again. No one serious wants to join his Board of Peace (unless you count Morroco, Putin and Bibi as serious).
The European Parliament sent the Mercosur trade agreement to the European courts, potentially delaying it unless it is implemented anyways in the interim. Maybe Gavin Newsom was right when he said that European leaders are pathetic.
Also this week: Mark Carney is the new leader of the free world. Either that, or Emmanuel Top Gun Macron. Take your pick. Mark Carney gave a good Davos speech, but he wasn’t wearing sunglasses.
My head is spinning and it’s not even Thursday.
Captain Haddock: What a week, huh?
Tintin: Captain, it’s Wednesday.