Trump reverses course in 24 hours from Nato to China to Fed

US President Donald Trump has reversed course in the space of 24 hours on an array of populist positions he adopted during the election campaign.
He declared Nato was "no longer obsolete" and dropped his pledge to declare China a currency manipulator.
Mr Trump also said he was no longer opposed to a federal exports agency he once dismissed as "unnecessary".
And the president signalled he was open to reappointing Janet Yellen as head of the Federal Reserve.

Meanwhile, his administration dropped a freeze on federal hiring that it imposed in January.
The about-faces suggest the mercurial Mr Trump may be favouring a more pragmatic, moderate approach to the hardline economic nationalism that helped elect him.

Trump reverses course in 24 hours from Nato to China to Fed

First, I know that the BBC has a certain political bent that tends to favor European Socialism over American style republicanism. Second, all good politicians "flip-flop". Politics is the art of compromise. However, this is a stunning array of reversals for such a short time period.

President Trump too often speaks off-the-cuff and is reactionary. This is ] great for the campaign trail. As President, I hope he begins to understand that his words will have a much greater affect than the words of a normal folks.

This isn't intended to be a Trump-bash-a-thon. I didn't vote for him (for the first time in my life I voted 3rd party) but I hope he is a great President. We desperately need a real leader now, in the US and globally. We need change, the kind of change he promised and is now, seemingly, turning away from.

I would hope that any comments could be adult in nature. Don't write without a point about this specific article please. Needless bashing and mindless support don't do anyone any good.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I think it should be recognized that much of President Trump's rhetoric is not dogma or principle, but bluff and threat for the sake of deal-making.

'Muh Globalist' anyone?

But seriously, is anyone really surprised? he said what he had to to get elected, dog-whistled the Alt-Right , Far-Right, Nationalist, and now trying to pander to the Neocon centrist, no different than any other president.

a reply to: Words

That is a great point. However, were the campaign promises part of deal making? I really don't think so. Also, there needs to be a level of decorum when dealing with internationally diplomacy that might not be necessary when dealing at a corporate level. I'm no international business man, so really wouldn't know. Based on pure speculation on my part, I would think so.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I hope you dont consider "change" and "leadership" warring with foreign countries all over the world

a reply to: Idreamofme

If by "warring" you mean actual war, absolutely not. My youngest child is 17 and he can not remember a time that the US wasn't at war. If by "warring" you mean counteracting some of Obama's redistribution of American wealth over-seas, yes, I believe that would be leadership.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson
The first two of those reversals are returning to common sense. Not being an American, I have no opinion about any of the others.
I can't help thinking, though, that criticism of reversals comes badly from those who hated the original position. E.g. anyone who was against his dismissal of NATO is not in a good position to criticise him for coming round to their point of view.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

Well for any of those worried. We have a classic politician saying what people want to hear and constantly changing platform.

While everyone bickers about the small things, well be distracted while true agendas are pushed through shadows.

And with these military maneuvers once a week to flood the news cycle I Wounder what is being planned.....

a reply to: DISRAELI

We will never have a full picture of why any President's reversal of position took place. There are many positive reasons as well as negative reasons that he did so. However, if one takes the position that a reversal was done because of cowardice, dishonesty, corruption, or a lack of character, than one could criticize the reversal while still agreeing with the outcome.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

Sadly, I tend to agree. Though I didn't vote for him, I had hope there would be change. That hope is flickering.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I'm a gambler. I was willing to see, but it's like throwing all your money on one number in roulette.

The payout cab be big but you probably won't win.

a reply to: TobyFlenderson

I think this is his MO.

If I want to borrow fifty dollars from you, I might ask for 300.00

Then bargain down to 75.00

I made out better than I began, but everyone is upset that I didn't get the 300.00

a reply to: TobyFlenderson


Donald Trump is masterful strategist indeed! That's why he's been so successful in life. Far more so than any of us in the business/financial world.

a reply to: DISRAELI

I'm glad he's come around to these things, but I still see the flip-flopping as confirmation that Trump is everything I've been saying he was. A liar saying whatever he wants to say to get elected. I'm also kind of amazed that his supporters don't care about this despite it being 180 degree different than his original position.

a reply to: carewemust

All about that 33DChess!

a reply to: Krazysh0t

Any one could say that about any president before hand and be right.

Remember Obama?

a reply to: Krazysh0t

But big bada boom Syria and big mega mother bada boom Afghanistan and and pissing off 3 nuclear powers at once America is winning again(sarcasm)

originally posted by: XAnarchistX
'Muh Globalist' anyone?

But seriously, is anyone really surprised? he said what he had to to get elected, dog-whistled the Alt-Right , Far-Right, Nationalist, and now trying to pander to the Neocon centrist, no different than any other president.

And as an Anarchist how sure are you that you are not a tool of the likes of Soros and his ilk?

Because to be quite honest, those who promote anarchy seem to be very much aligned to their puppet master George Soros!

a reply to: XAnarchistX

which you play with a sledgehammer apparently

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: TobyFlenderson

Well for any of those worried. We have a classic politician saying what people want to hear and constantly changing platform.

While everyone bickers about the small things, well be distracted while true agendas are pushed through shadows.

And with these military maneuvers once a week to flood the news cycle I Wounder what is being planned.....

Yea!

Not comfortable here at all.

Me saying I am hopeful is one of the few time I will admit I am looking at the glass is half full. However, I have been prepared for the worse for the past 8 years and not so sure why so many people are getting upset at this moment.....