On the heels of a two-day meeting last week with the Japanese Prime Minister in Florida, more diplomacy is on the agenda for President Donald Trump this week, as he receives two major European leaders at the White House, with the French President and German Chancellor coming to Washington, D.C. for meetings with Mr. Trump which are certain to cover a series of thorny foreign policy matters.
One of the main topics in those meetings for Mr. Trump is expected to be the Iran nuclear deal, which the President has repeatedly threatened to abandon; that threat will certainly draw the attention of both the French and German leaders.
"Would it be a mistake for the President to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal?" French President Emmanuel Macron was asked on Fox News Sunday.
"I don't have any plan B for nuclear against Iran," Macron replied.
Here are some of the issues likely to come up this week as Macron, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold separate talks with Mr. Trump:
1. Iran nuclear deal squarely in Trump's focus. Since way back on the 2016 campaign, President Trump has made clear that he wants to tear up the Iran nuclear deal, but aides so far have steered him clear of that move, arguing the agreement includes not only the U.S., but Europe as well, and that any new restrictions on Iran would need a broad diplomatic effort, not one which is unilateral in nature. Mr. Trump's latest deadline for action on Iran is May 12, when another waiver of economic sanctions against Iran is due for action by the President. It's not clear what type of deal the U.S. and Europe could develop which would be accepted by Iran. And it's an issue that certainly has the attention of much of Europe.
2. Trump continues to ruffle feathers over trade. Whether it is with American farmers or foreign governments, the President's push to levy new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, as well as possibly billions of dollars in products from China, the President has roiled world markets and relations with other world leaders, as many in his own party warn against starting a trade war with Beijing. In order to get his message directly to Mr. Trump, the French leader went on Fox News Sunday to say that the idea of tariffs on friends is not a good strategy for dealing with allies like France. It's still not clear if Europe will get an exemption from the new steel and aluminum tariffs.
3. Nailing down the details of a Kim Jong Un summit. As Macron and Merkel arrive, the President and the White House seem certain to be pressed this week on what's next with scheduling a meeting between Mr. Trump and the North Korean leader. Some reports have indicated that such a summit would take place in Europe - Sweden and Switzerland have been mentioned as possible sites - but so far, nothing has been hammered out. On Sunday, Mr. Trump mocked those who have raised questions over what might be achieved with a U.S.-North Korean summit. "Funny how all of the Pundits that couldn't come close to making a deal on North Korea are now all over the place telling me how to make a deal!" the President tweeted.
4. Mar-a-Lago no refuge from Russia probe; neither is DC. While the President was at his Florida retreat for six days last week, the Russia probe continued to rage around Mr. Trump - and Mr. Trump seems certain to hear more about this week, whether it's the fallout from the release of memos by former FBI Director James Comey, or other items. At a news conference with the Japanese Prime Minister in Florida, the President told reporters, 'there was no collusion with Russia.' Over the weekend, Mr. Trump continued his Twitter jabs at Comey, labeling him a "proven liar and leaker." The President even seemed to take a shot at his Attorney General as well over investigating Comey and Hillary Clinton.
5. The President's personal lawyer remains in legal limbo. After challenging the legality of an April 9 FBI raid, Michael Cohen will evidently not be getting any quick action on his effort to suppress any evidence uncovered by the feds. A special FBI team will be able to continue to evaluate evidence seized, as the judge in the case set a status hearing on the matter for May 24 - almost five weeks from now. Federal Judge Kimba Wood has said she might let the FBI "taint team" review the evidence, or appoint a 'special master' to oversee any questions about attorney-client privilege involving Cohen and the President. That is not good news for Cohen, and not good news for the White House, as this story may not be going anywhere before Memorial Day.
Credit: Jamie Dupree
Credit: Jamie Dupree
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