RE: Trump Turns G-7 into a Reality Show
June 12, 2018 at 2:41 pm
(This post was last modified: June 12, 2018 at 2:58 pm by Anomalocaris.)
For one thing, in any diplomatic meeting, for one of the equals to be shown sitting when others are standing would never do the image of country of the sitter any favors in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Either of the photos is a massive black eye for the US, all the more so because it will always be associated with the North Korean summit that immediately follows, where trump is shown treating Kim deferentially as an equal, never sitting while kim is standing, with an air of almost being personally intimidated by the little rocket man.
America is suppose to stand for democracy. Treating leaders of other major democracy with respect is fundamental to our image and prestige in the world. To treat the leader of a major non-democracy like China with same ceremony as accorded leaders of our close allies might be excused because of china’s heft and importance to global economy. To treat Russia with the same ceremony is already inexcusable due to its lack of importance economically and overtly hostile attitude. To treat North Korean leader with more apparent deference than the other leaders of the G-7 is in effect the end of America role as hegemon.
Either of the photos is a massive black eye for the US, all the more so because it will always be associated with the North Korean summit that immediately follows, where trump is shown treating Kim deferentially as an equal, never sitting while kim is standing, with an air of almost being personally intimidated by the little rocket man.
America is suppose to stand for democracy. Treating leaders of other major democracy with respect is fundamental to our image and prestige in the world. To treat the leader of a major non-democracy like China with same ceremony as accorded leaders of our close allies might be excused because of china’s heft and importance to global economy. To treat Russia with the same ceremony is already inexcusable due to its lack of importance economically and overtly hostile attitude. To treat North Korean leader with more apparent deference than the other leaders of the G-7 is in effect the end of America role as hegemon.
