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America’s bullied allies need to toughen up
To avoid being crushed, they need a better plan than flattery and concessions.
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US President Donald Trump and his supporters believe his frenetic actions enhance American power, breaking deadlocks and shaking up deadbeat or parasitic allies.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
The Economist
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For decades, America has stood by its friends and deterred its enemies. That steadfastness is being thrown upside down, as Mr Donald Trump strong-arms allies and seeks deals with adversaries. After freezing all aid to Ukraine on March 3, Ukraine agreed in principle to a 30-day truce.
On the same day, Mr Trump briefly slammed even more tariffs on Canada. Its new prime minister, Mr Mark Carney, warned that a predatory America wants “our water, our land, our country”. And do not forget Asia. The President has just raised doubts about the value to America of the US-Japan defence treaty, which Dwight D. Eisenhower signed in 1960. Around the world, allies fear that America First means they come second, third or even last.
