Donald Trump's foreign policy circus

Another day, another shy foreign policy circus in the country's capital, which can only further destroy confidence in American leadership in and abroad. At the center of it is Rex Tillerson, who traded his job as chief of the great oil giant ExxonMobil to become secretary of state, but finding himself substantially and personally underestimated by President Trump, finally on Sunday on the Korean issue, where Mr. Tillerson wanted negotiations while Mr. Trump threatened with war.

On Wednesday, after NBC News reported that Mr. Tillerson was on the verge of resigning, the secretary quickly called a press conference in which he claimed he never considered this option, even though he did not personally deny a report he had been so disappointed with the husband of the Oval Office that he once called it a “bulla” at a Pentagon meeting with the national security team and cabinet officials.

Tillerson was said to be particularly upset by Mr. Trump in “Boy Scouts of America”, an organization run by the secretary. Other Trump officials reportedly urged him to stay at least by the end of the year, and Vice President Mike Pence advised him of ways to ease tensions with the president.

Conflicts are numerous and increasing. Last week, in Beijing, Mr. Tillerson described efforts to explore contacts with North Korea over the nuclear issue, while Mr. Trump despised his initiative as a waste of time, leaving the impression that he was focusing mainly on military options.

In June, Mr. Tillerson called on Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to facilitate their blockade of Qatar, while Mr. Trump approved the blockade.

The Trump administration has twice confirmed that Iran is in line with the terms of the nuclear agreement, which was one of President Barack Obama's greatest diplomatic achievements. Mr. Trump has left little doubt about his contempt for the deal.

Internal issues have also caused a deadlock. Mr. Trump reportedly was angry when Mr. Tillerson distanced himself from the president's shameful treatment of racist violence in Charlotteville, saying the president speaks for himself”.

To say the least, this has all made things difficult for Mr. Tillerson, confusing American foreign policy. Secretary of State should be considered to have the president's personal trust and influence to represent authority worldwide.

Mr. Trump served only to undermine Mr. Tillerson and raise doubts among world leaders about whether he represents the president's true intentions. Some appointed to this post would find such irrefutable humiliation, or, like Defence Secretary Jim Mattis, they would find a way to disagree with him and lead Mr. Trump without provoking him.

Inexplicably, Mr. Tillerson seems to be addicted, and Mr. Trump on Wednesday declared full trust “” on him.

Tillerson certainly has his weaknesses. He has often seemed breakaway and remote and has threatened large budget cuts that are destroying the State Department and threatening his operations abroad.

But these weaknesses are nothing compared to that of an inexperienced, self - satisfied, bombastic, and impulsive president. / The New York Times ) Read.al/