Will Trump's threat backfire?

[leftyo]

i would speculate if the US walked away from the UN, canada and a few other countries would be tasked with picking up the tab.

[togor]

i would speculate if the US walked away from the UN, canada and a few other countries would be tasked with picking up the tab.

Good point. It really only takes one or two countries to step in to keep the facilities side going. Moving HQ to Asia would appeal to many.

It's crazy to think the US should disengage from the UN. Our living standard depends a good bit on international trade in raw materials, on shipping lanes, etc. So far Trump's bilateral philosophy on trade has found no takers. If we leave the UN, what is to stop them from putting sanctions on us?

[leftyo]

Good point. It really only takes one or two countries to step in to keep the facilities side going. Moving HQ to Asia would appeal to many.

It's crazy to think the US should disengage from the UN. Our living standard depends a good bit on international trade in raw materials, on shipping lanes, etc. So far Trump's bilateral philosophy on trade has found no takers. If we leave the UN, what is to stop them from putting sanctions on us?

sanctions do very little to small pissant countries, dont think we would suffer much from a UN sanction if they ever even had the balls to try it. the UN is far more dependent on us than we are of them.

[JB White]

Hi JB,

The reasons I mentioned Canada were two fold, one Canada has been a supporter of Israel and two Canada does not receive any aid from the US. Hence Trump's threat does not have an impact upon Canada except in a way that Trump wouldn't want. That is when someone threatens you it pisses you off and even if you agree with the person you want to do something contary just to piss them off in return.

That was what I was wondering, how many countries feel that way?

I can understand where Trump is coming from, those countries who the US helps should show a little loyalty, I agree but is a threat a good move?

KTK

I see where you're coming from. Your representation in the UN obviously sees it that way too. I saw Canada's reply as a well thought out CYA until we can see where this might be heading. I think Trump has every right to tell some of these piss ant countries to stop biting the hand that feeds them. That the USA has had enough of their crap. It's something we here have been bantering about for years.

Now, this brings me to the point that's been thrashing about in the back of my mind for decades. "WHAT IF..." some of those countries decide to seek all their support from China and/or Russia instead of letting the USA retain any influence? What if a unification takes place in that part of the world similar to the UAE's concept, but on a much more grand scale? Let's say they have someone with brains at the helm who's preference leans towards someone else like Russia? Kind of takes us off the international chess board.
Ike flipped off Castro as a piss ant, and how well did that work out for the USA?

I think it's great we have a leader willing to rattle a sabre once in a while. Pound his shoe on the desk. Without any plans to brave the fallout from any direction....I sure hope he has one.

[Mark in Ottawa]

My reading of the Canadian media suggest that a number of columnists feel that by abstaining, the Canadian Government has wimped out and failed to support its closest ally. In addition it should be noted that in 1979 the government of then Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark proposed to move the Canadian embassy to Jerusalem but folded under pressure from the Arab governments. In 1979 it was in part due to a pending major contract with Saudi Arabia for Canadian telephone systems and now I suspect it was due in part to the fear of cancellation of a multi billion dollar contract with Saudi Arabia for armored personnel carriers

[Dick Hosmer]

Perhaps I'm being too simplistic, but where is it written that lowering our percentage of financial support and leaving the UN are one and the same, or in fact even related at all? The body is full of piss-ant countries who pay next to nothing - yet they are still members. We should keep our grandfathered perks and veto power - just stop paying so much for the privilege.

[leftyo]

Perhaps I'm being too simplistic, but where is it written that lowering our percentage of financial support and leaving the UN are one and the same, or in fact even related at all? The body is full of piss-ant countries who pay next to nothing - yet they are still members. We should keep our grandfathered perks and veto power - just stop paying so much for the privilege.

have to agree with you. just because we reduce our financial support does not mean we have to pull out. as members, we should pay the same exact percentage as every other member nation.

[Former Cav]

I've been writing to my congress geeks for many years.
1) secede from the UN
2) obviously QUIT funding the UN
3) kick them out of NY and the US
IF any of them wrote back (if I remember correctly only ONE did), and called me an isolationist.
Well, I watched 26 out of 32 jobs LEAVE the country, get bought sold numerous times, go broke, etc. in between 1969 to 1999.
Doesn't sound like "FAIR trade" to me.
I've been to Tokyo on a business trip and I saw their TARIFFS in action that ranged from 200 to 900% !!
We, as in the United States, our "GI's", are the ones doing all the bleeding and dying for these other clowns. Screw em.
I support Israel, if for no other reason... the Bible SAYS SO!!
The Honorable Donald J Trump has been the BEST president in my lifetime of 71 years and I am happy I voted FOR HIM!
I support him all the way.