* “We do have a trade deficit with Canada, as we do with almost all countries (some of them massive).” That was Donald Trump–or was it “John Barron” calling a tabloid on behalf of his altered-ego boss?–doubling down after being outed for telling an incredulous PM Justin Trudeau that Canada actually had a trade surplus with the U.S. For what it’s worth around the Oval Orifice, the U.S. does run an overall trade surplus with Canada.
Fake news, anyone?
*There has been serious White House talk about convening a gathering–actually, more like a series of national debates–on climate change. It’s gotten pushback from White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. But were it to happen? How much more can global ridicule of the U.S. ratchet?
* At this point, we’re practically inured to high-decibel, public rhetoric. Even in this outrageously disturbing age of Trump. But what former CIA Director John Brennan tweeted the other day to Trump was as notably cringe worthy as it was alarmingly spot on. “When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. … But you will not destroy America…America will triumph over you.”
Those weren’t the words of a headline grabbing, political partisan. Those were the words–and visceral, homeland feelings–of a patriotic partisan.
* President Trump will head south of his proposed border wall and make his first visit to Latin America next month. He’ll be in Peru and Colombia. It will also be an ironic reminder that Peru, along with Chile and Mexico, are part of the Trans Pacific Partnership–but the U.S. is not.
* Trump is not a leader. He’s a boss. Big difference. The former empowers, inspires and weighs input of aides with expertise. The latter gathers loyalists. Knowledgeable A-Listers need not apply.