As the world finally punches back, was this the week Donald Trump went too far? | Jonathan Freedland

US President Donald Trump's provocative remarks about NATO and his aggressive stance on Greenland have sparked international concern, with many wondering if he has finally gone too far. While the initial hope that the storm had passed was palpable, Trump's latest threats confirm what should have been obvious: under his leadership, the US has become an unreliable ally, rather than a dependable friend.

Trump's remarks about NATO allies being "a little off the frontlines" in Afghanistan were particularly galling, as they insulted the families of the 457 British service personnel and their comrades who lost their lives in that conflict. The unveiling of his new "board of peace" – essentially a members-only club where a permanent seat costs $1 billion and decision-making power lies with Trump himself – is also a worrying development.

This latest move by Trump has shattered any remaining illusions about his presidency, demonstrating that the formal restraints designed to hold a US president in check are easily swept away. If he can threaten Greenland, why not other nations? This raises serious concerns about the reliability of the US as an ally and the future of international relations.

The immediate lessons from this latest development are clear: Trump will keep pushing until someone stops him. His former adviser Steve Bannon has confirmed that Team Trump's strategy is "maximalist," to go as far as they can until resistance is met. This means that longtime friends of the US cannot be in a position of dependency, lest they risk being dictated to.

Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comment that the "old order is not coming back" and that we shouldn't mourn it but instead create a new arrangement has struck a chord. A new grouping, perhaps presented innocuously as a mere "European arm of Nato," could consolidate and gain strength. The key to this plan lies in vastly increased defense spending, which will remould the politics of countries that have enjoyed a peace dividend since the end of the cold war.

This presents an opportunity for Labour leader Keir Starmer to pivot on his stance on Brexit and European ties. He can present manifesto-breaking tax rises as a matter of national security, closer ties to Europe as a way forward, and leave Nigel Farage marooned on the wrong side of public opinion. Starmer's party could cast itself as the true defender of Britain's sovereignty and independence.

The world we knew is indeed dying, slain by Trump's provocations. But something else became visible this week: a new world waiting to be born – one that prioritizes cooperation over conflict and collective security over individual interests. It will take time, but it's imperative that allies begin to forge their own path, rather than relying on the US for protection. As Jeremy Hunt said, "it would be a major dereliction of duty if we don't do the work now" to reach that goal.
 
dude, trump is just playing with fire 🔥 and everyone's gonna get burned 🤕. he thinks he's some kinda superhero but really he's just a bully with a megaphone 🗣️. his "board of peace" thingy is just a joke, like someone paid him to say it 💸. nato allies are the real victims here, not just afghanistan but also europe and canada... like, who does he think he is? the leader of the free world or some kinda dictator 👑? we need to stand up against him before he gets outta control 💪. a new europe alliance sounds like a solid idea 🤝, and labours starmer needs to own it 🎯. can't let trump dictate our future, gotta take charge ourselves ⚔️. the old world is gone, but we can build something better 🌟.
 
omg what is going on with trump?? 🤯 he's literally threatening another country over and i'm like where is the evidence for this?? 😒 his comments about nato are just insulting, especially since 457 british ppl lost their lives in afghanistan. and now this 'board of peace' thing? sounds like a bunch of nonsense to me 🤑 $1 billion for a seat? come on. i'm starting to think that the only way to stop him is for other countries to band together and not rely on the us anymore 👊 it's time for labour leader keir starmer to pivot and present a new manifesto that prioritizes europe and national security over brexit 📈
 
So like Trump's latest remarks are super concerning and all but I wonder what's going through his head 🤯 Is he just trying to stir up drama or is there something else at play? It seems like a lot of people are calling him out for being unreliable as an ally, but do we really think that's the only reason behind these aggressive moves?

I'm also curious about this "board of peace" thingy, $1 billion membership fee, who gets to make decisions? Sounds super shady 🤑 And what would happen if he does try to dictate other nations around? Would it lead to more conflicts or a new way forward? It's like the world is holding its breath, waiting for Trump to stop pushing boundaries.

And you know, Trudeau said something about creating a new arrangement and Labour leader Keir Starmer could totally pivot on Brexit and European ties. But what if this new path isn't that easy to follow? Would it mean abandoning traditional alliances or finding new ways to collaborate? It's like we're standing at a crossroads, wondering which direction to take 🚂
 
Trump is at it again 🤦‍♂️, and it's clear he's losing his grip on reality. His comments about NATO are just another example of his 'America First' approach - which in reality means America does whatever Trump wants, no matter the cost. And what's with this 'board of peace' nonsense? A $1 billion membership fee for a group that essentially makes all decisions without input from anyone else? That's not governance, that's dictatorship 🚫.

The fact that Trudeau is talking about forming a new European grouping because of Trump's antics is a huge opportunity for Labour to pivot and show the British people they're serious about defending their interests. It's time for Keir Starmer to stop playing it safe and take a bold stance on Brexit and European ties 🔄.

And let's not forget, if the US can't be relied upon as an ally, who will? The world needs a new approach to international relations one that prioritizes cooperation and collective security. We need leaders like Trudeau and Starmer who are willing to stand up for what's right, even if it means challenging the status quo 🌟.

But Trump just won't take the hint. He'll keep pushing until someone stops him - and when they do, watch out because he'll just find a new way to stir up trouble 😒.
 
🤯 Trump's antics have officially gone off the deep end...like in that movie 'Fight Club' where Brad Pitt's character says "the things you own end up owning you"...he's literally becoming his own worst enemy and it's a mess! The US is no longer reliable ally, just a loose cannon. Can't believe he's trying to create a $1 billion club of friends...lol what a joke! 🤣

The old order is indeed dying and I think it's time for a new world to be born...one that values cooperation over conflict. We need alliances to form their own paths, not just wait around for the US to protect them. And yeah, Labour leader Keir Starmer could make some big gains by pivoting on Brexit and European ties 🙌

But seriously, it's time for leaders like Trudeau and Hunt to step up and show us a better way forward...one that prioritizes collective security over individual interests. We can't just sit back and watch the world burn (or in this case, Trump burn) 😱
 
TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR IS GETTING CRAZY!!! HE THINKS HE CAN JUST DISRESPECT NATO ALLIES AND GREENLAND AND NO ONE WILL SAY ANYTHING?Newsflash, Trump: YOU'RE NOT A SOLO ACTOR IN THIS WORLD! THE REST OF US ARE WATCHING AND WAITING TO SEE HOW FAR YOU'LL GO BEFORE WE PUSH BACK 🤯👊
 
man this guy trump is like a train wreck that you can't look away from what's he doing to nato and greenland? 🤯 it's not just about being a bad leader, it's like he's trying to erase all sense of international cooperation and unity and replace it with his own ego-driven agenda. and the board of peace thing? 😂 that's just rich coming from him after all the wars and conflicts he's been involved in.

but you know what's even more concerning than trump himself? the reaction of some of our own leaders to this kind of rhetoric 🤔 i mean, where is keir starmer when it matters most? can't he see that trump's antics are a symptom of a larger disease – a world that's lost its way and needs new leadership. and labour's chances of winning in the next election just got a whole lot brighter if they pivot on brexit and european ties 🙌
 
I think what's really got people worried here is how Trump's actions are redefining what it means to be an ally in the first place... 🤔 He's essentially saying that if you want the US to take care of your back, you gotta shell out a billion bucks for a seat at his table. That's just not how international relations work anymore. I mean, we're already seeing countries starting to think twice about committing troops to Afghanistan, and now this new development just makes things worse.

It's also interesting that Trump's advisors seem to be embracing a "maximalist" strategy - it's like they're intentionally trying to drive countries apart, rather than working together to address global challenges. This raises all sorts of questions about what kind of world we want to live in... do we prioritize our own interests over the greater good? I'm not sure there's a clear answer to that one yet.

One thing that does feel promising is the idea of countries forging their own path and taking responsibility for their own security. It's like, if we can't rely on the US to protect us, then maybe it's time we start thinking about how we can protect ourselves. And I think Labour leader Keir Starmer is onto something with his proposal for increased defense spending - it could be a real game-changer for the UK's future.

It's funny, when Trump first started making these kinds of moves, people thought he was just being crazy or attention-seeking... but now it feels like he's actually been playing a long game. Either way, I think we can all agree that this is a turning point in global politics - and not necessarily for the better... 😬
 
lol what's with all this drama surrounding Trump? 🤔 he's just trying to shake things up and make America great again, you know?
i mean, can you blame him for wanting to strengthen NATO or stand up to Russia? 🇺🇸 it's about time someone took a stand against the bears.
and that whole Greenland thing? 🌊 let's not forget that Denmark and the US have a mutual defense treaty going on already. Trump's just being a good sport by extending an olive branch, right?
i'm not saying he's perfect, but come on, people. Can't we all just get along (and invest in some diplomacy)? 😂
 
I'm not sure I agree that Trump's comments are all bad news 🤔... I mean, he's just trying to shake things up and make America (and the world) pay attention 💸... But on the other hand, his aggressive stance on Greenland is straight-up crazy 😂... like, what even is that? Can't we just talk about this stuff in a civilized manner? 🤷‍♂️

And I'm not convinced that forming a new group with increased defense spending is the way forward 💸... it sounds like more of the same old politics to me 🙄... but at the same time, maybe it's time for some change and we should be open to new ideas 🤔...

I do think one thing is for sure though: Trump's antics are definitely making international relations a lot more complicated 💥... and I'm not sure if anyone can fix that 🤷‍♂️...
 
🤐 Trump's latest antics are getting old 🙄. It's like he thinks he can just bully his way through international relations and get away with it 💸. Newsflash: being an unreliable ally isn't a leadership style, it's a recipe for disaster 🚨.

And what's with the "board of peace" thing? 🤔 Sounds like some kinda joke... or a desperate attempt to distract from actual problems 👀. The fact that he's willing to throw around millions (or billions) of dollars just because is just plain laughable 💸.

Can we please, for the love of all things sane, have someone bring him back down to earth? 🤦‍♂️ This isn't a game of " maximalist" strategy, it's global politics... get it together, Trump 🙄
 
I think its getting real now 🤯💥 Trumps antics have gone too far and his ego is literally causing damage on a global scale 😩🌎 We've seen him basically trash NATO, and now he's going after Greenland? What's next, Mars? It's like he's trying to rewrite the rules of international diplomacy on his own terms 🚫👊

The fact that people are even talking about starting a new grouping like a European "arm" of NATO is crazy 😲 It's like we're finally realizing that our old alliances aren't working anymore and it's time for some serious change 💡 The key to this new world order should be cooperation, not competition or trying to one-up each other 🤝

I love how Jeremy Hunt just straight up said we gotta do the work now 💪🏽 It's time for countries to stop waiting around for someone else to make a move and start forging their own paths 🚗💨 Labour leader Keir Starmer should totally take advantage of this by pushing for closer ties with Europe and presenting tax rises as a matter of national security 📈
 
can u believe this guy?? trumps been talkin bout nato and greenland and its like he thinks hes above the law 🤣 anyone think this dude is serious about his "board of peace"? a billion bucks for a seat? come on! theres already enough problems in the world without him makin us worry about other nations 🌎 meanwhile starmer's just tryin to make a career outta bein anti-trump, but honestly who can blame him 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm getting really worried about the direction Trump is taking with all these aggressive statements... 🚨 I think he's making it clear that when it comes to international relations, the US is no longer a reliable ally but more of a bully on the world stage. The fact that he's trying to create this exclusive club for his closest friends and advisors where they get to make decisions without anyone else's input is just chilling.

I mean, what's next? Is he going to start making threats against other nations based on how much money he thinks they should be willing to shell out in "protection" payments? 🤑 The idea of this "board of peace" sounds like a total farce. And the way he's talking about NATO allies being off the frontlines is just a huge slap in the face to all those families who have lost loved ones in Afghanistan.

It's time for countries that rely on the US for protection to start thinking for themselves and forming their own alliances. We need to move away from this toxic cycle of mistrust and towards something more collaborative, like Trudeau said. I think Labour leader Keir Starmer is onto something with his idea of presenting tax rises as a matter of national security – it's time for Britain to take control of its own destiny rather than just relying on the US.

The world needs to come together and start holding leaders accountable who are more interested in flexing their muscles than building trust. We can't keep living in fear of Trump's next move, we need to be proactive about creating a new era of cooperation and peace 🌎💪
 
I'm so concerned about what Trump is doing 🤕, it's like he has no idea how his words affect others. NATO allies being 'a little off the frontlines' in Afghanistan? Are you kidding me?! Those families deserve so much respect 💔. And now this new 'board of peace' thingy that sounds like a total farce 😂, $1 billion for a seat?! Who comes up with this stuff?! It's no wonder people are losing faith in the US as an ally 🤦‍♂️. Trump seems to be just going wherever he wants and if you get in his way, oh well! 🚫 That's so concerning. I hope there aren't more alliances getting shook like this 😬. The idea of a new group forming without the US is kinda interesting 🤔, but we should be cautious about that too. Increased defense spending could be a game changer 💸, and maybe it'll give Labour a chance to change their stance on Brexit 👀. We really do need to prioritize cooperation over conflict 🔗, ASAP!
 
omg just read about trump's latest tantrum 🤯 and i'm like totally shook u guys, it seems like he's lost all sense of what being a president is supposed to be about 🙄 nato and greenland are just excuses for him to flex his muscles and show off how "tough" he thinks he is 🤪 meanwhile the rest of us are over here trying to figure out who's going to pick up the tab for his ego trip 💸 anyway, i think it's about time we start thinking about a new world order and not just relying on one guy to hold everything together 🌎
 
Trump is really something else 🤯! His NATO comments were super rude and it's like he's not even trying to hide his contempt for other countries anymore. I mean, who does he think he is? The world is getting more and more unstable under his leadership and it's only a matter of time before things blow up.

The idea of a $1 billion membership fee for a 'board of peace' is just laughable 💸. It sounds like some kind of dystopian novel or something. And let's not forget the Greenland comments – that was just plain scary 🌊. Who knows what else he'll threaten next?

I think Trudeau might be onto something with his comment about the old order not coming back. We need to create a new arrangement, one where countries work together and support each other instead of just looking out for their own interests.

It's also super interesting that Starmer is pivoting on Brexit and European ties 🤝. I think it's time for Labour to take a more proactive role in shaping the UK's foreign policy and not just follow along with Farage's isolationist views.

The whole thing has me feeling like the world is at a crossroads – we can either keep going down the path of conflict and nationalism, or we can try to forge a new way forward that prioritizes cooperation and collective security. It's time for countries to take responsibility for their own actions and work together to address global challenges 🌎
 
can you believe this dude is still in power??? his actions are literally making us all question what's going on with our alliances... like seriously, who does he think he is? threatening nato and greenland?? the british families of afghanistan soldiers are already grieving and this just makes it worse. we need to wake up and stop relying on him for protection, it's time to take matters into our own hands 🤯💥
 
I'm getting really concerned about Trump's antics lately 🤯. He's basically saying that NATO countries are just freeloading off the US and that he can just go rogue whenever he wants. The idea of a "$1 billion membership fee" for some exclusive club is just laughable 😂. And what's next, him making friends with nations that have opposing interests? It's like he thinks the world revolves around him.

I think Trudeau has hit the nail on the head – we need to start creating our own alliances and security arrangements because we can't rely on a US president who's so unpredictable 🤝. The Labour party could be the ones to push for this change, especially with Starmer at the helm. It's time for Britain to take control of its own destiny and not get caught up in Trump's ego trip 🌎.

We're living in an era where international relations are being rewritten before our eyes, and it's essential that we adapt quickly 🔥. The world won't remain the same forever, so let's make sure we're building a better future – one that prioritizes cooperation over conflict 💖.
 
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