President Trump’s performance during his press conference with Vladimir Putin was shameful and disgraceful. And his entire foreign trip this week and last was deeply problematic.
Many have (rightly) focused on the diplomatic and security ramifications of the trip. But there are also serious economic ramifications to the president’s decision to attack NATO allies, the European Union, and the U.K. prime minister, and to embrace Mr. Putin.
By casting doubt on a post-Brexit U.S.–U.K. trade deal, the president further destabilized the British government and increased economic risk to American businesses and consumers who depend on U.K. trade and investment. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, for example, 665,000 jobs are supported by U.S. exports to the U.K.
And the damage President Trump is doing to the post-Second World War liberal international order directly threatens American economic prosperity by weakening the global, rules-based system that has created wealth, improved living standards, and fueled innovation. The president does further damage by weakening the forces that stand opposed to anti-liberal politics and governments.
I flesh this all out in my latest Bloomberg column, which I encourage you to read here. Your comments, whether you agree or disagree, are very welcome.