Does Trump's chaotic political style work?
Since he was first sworn in, US President Donald Trump has caused a stir on an almost daily basis with new announcements of extreme measures in politics and the economy. Many of them - including major tariff hikes - have been cancelled or postponed a few days after being announced. Others, such as mass redundancies or deportations, have been put on hold by the courts. Europe's press takes stock of this erratic style of government.
This is what right-wing populism leads to
Aftonbladet attempts an objective assessment of the disruptive announcements of recent weeks:
“Postponed tariffs and criticism of Putin on the same day? It sounds almost too good to be true - like winning the jackpot in the Trump lottery! The fact that people are even thinking this way shows how twisted and cynical everything is right now. We have grown used to watching Trump tear down the world order, whether the target is global trade or the transatlantic security alliance. The slightest hint of normality feels like a major victory. This is how dystopian the world becomes when right-wing populists are in power.”
US foreign policy at a dead end
Delfi sees Trump under pressure:
“In the end, Washington has been left looking powerless while its weaker opponents and partners - Iran, Russia, Hamas and Israel - have gained strength. And all because Trump's threatening gestures go hand in hand with his endeavours to meet the wishes of American voters not to get involved in military conflicts outside the US. After the prolonged wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, America is fed up with endless conflicts with unclear outcomes and numerous casualties. ... Trump's foreign policy has reached a dead end. He needs to find excuses. ... That's why he says Putin has 'gone crazy'. In this way, the US president is deflecting responsibility for his own failures.”
The chaos method has failed
Le Figaro takes a critical look at Musk's legacy following his withdrawal from politics:
“Above all, it reveals the failure of a method: that of chaos, excess and haste. This, in essence, is the hallmark of Trumpism. One need only look at the trade war he is waging to reindustrialise the US as quickly as possible to confirm this. Stratospheric tariffs, U-turns, threats: the flip-flopping has paralysed businesses, discouraged investors and slowed global growth.”
The people have the power to rein in their president
Avvenire hopes consumers and savers will put up resistance:
“There can be little doubt that with its constant upheavals the Trump presidency is a stress test for democracy. The 'balancing' measures taken by federal judges and the Supreme Court to defend democratic rights and values will take time. The only immediate counterweight that could quickly force Trump to take a more moderate approach is the behaviour of consumers and savers, an instrument of democratic defence.”