3 suggested European responses to Trump's Greenland tariffs

It pays to read The Times letters to the editor. This is something I've learned over the years because a lot of really clever and sensible people write to The Times. A lot of their letters don't get published but the ones that get through the vetting procedure are often very good and in this instance we have three interesting and I would argue good suggestions for how Europe can respond to Donald Trump's Greenland tariffs namely a 10% uplift to the tariff currently applied to the UK and Europe on first February and a further 25% uplift in June if European countries don't comply with his request to own Greenland.

The first suggestion comes from Professor Costas Milas of the University of Liverpool. He suggests that European countries should withdraw their national football teams from this summer's FIFA World Cup which is being held mainly in the United States. It's believed that it will bring $9.6 billion to the US economy and it would be an enormous embarrassment to Trump and the American government if this upcoming World Cup was so catastrophically damaged by mass withdrawal of European teams. That may force Trump's hand. He may become more reasonable. At the moment Trump is being highly unreasonable and his demands are simply untenable. No European country would agree to allow him to simply move into Greenland and own the island to plunder minerals which I believe is his main purpose and for personal financial gain as well I would argue.

The second suggestion comes from Colin Kennedy from Suffolk in the UK. He argues that "Europe should respond graciously and politely to the US president by stating that the leases on all US military facilities in Europe will attract a similar tariff to the one he is imposing from February 1. If payment is not forthcoming then the US should be asked to vacate all such facilities without exception.

Finally, the third suggestion comes from Simon Brown KC living in Stevington, Bedfordshire, UK. He writes this: 

"We have a powerful response available. President Trump has interests in Scotland that are close to his heart: Turnberry golf club and Trump International near Aberdeen. Sequestration and nationalisation of them by the Scottish government would deter him and would be for the public benefit and well-being.

The last suggestion would certainly hurt Trump personally. He is very fond of Scotland. We know he is addicted to golf notwithstanding the fact that he cheats and lies about his accomplishments on the golf course. That's his style. His lying is transparent when it comes to golf and his golf swing isn't that great either.

This last suggestion is very personal which I think is appropriate because he often makes things very personal. When he talks about world leaders he discusses whether they are a nice person or not. He speaks of their character. I think this is inappropriate because discussions between world leaders are about achievements not about personal characteristics. It's about doing business pragmatically and sensibly. It's inappropriate to talk about the person's character and whether you like them or not.

In any case, Trump needs to be pushed hard. Europe must stand up and show courage and a backbone. Starmer was weak before Trump in the past. He was obsequious towards him. He was a poodle towards the president and now the president is jerking Starmer around like a lapdog on a lead. Starmer asked for that. We must stand up and do the right thing and if the consequences are uncomfortable then so be it.

At the end of the day, Trump respects strong characters (look at how he talks about Vladimir Putin for instance) and is therefore more likely to listen to them and come to an agreement with strong characters.

Europeans have been heavily criticised by J.D. Vance for being weak and instigating sloppy policies. Let's see Europeans including the UK stop being weak. Let's see them beat Donald Trump at his own game.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Obsequious Starmer kicked in the teeth by disloyal Trump

The headline in The Sunday Times today is that Sir Keir Starmer, the UK's Prime Minister, is angry after Trump imposed more tariffs against the UK: 10% (on all goods?) to climb to 25% in June unless Starmer agrees to support Trump in his desire to own the world's largest island: Greenland.

You might remember the time when Starmer arrived at the White House Oval Office and presented to Trump King Charles's handwritten letter inviting the president to the UK for a state visit (his second). The intention of that special gift was to encourage Donald Trump to go easy on the UK regarding tariffs because at that time the President was setting up tariffs for pretty well every country on the planet because he regards himself as the tariff king. Note: Trump may be constitutionally unable to impose tariffs by executive order - more on that to come in the news media I suspect.

I remember Starmer acting like a poodle to the president in a very obsequious manner as mentioned. It was nauseating to see. But Starmer was naïve. You don't behave like that towards a bully with an ego as big as a house.

You have got to stand up to him and thereby gain his respect. And if in standing up you suffer tariffs then so be it. You have to stand up and be independent-minded and have dignity and self-respect. You can't kowtow and become a poodle on a lead to American's current president. Because you'll be jerked around as we are seeing at present.

And the latest development proves my point. Trump has simply ditched the concept of being friends with Starmer and imposed fresh tariffs which will hurt the UK economically. 

He's also imposed the same tariff barriers on Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland. But I don't recall the Prime Ministers of those countries going to the White House and begging more or less, cap in hand on bended knee, for lower tariffs. At least they maintained their dignity.

Starmer, for me, is an idiot. He is a week idiot actually. He's not a leader. He needs to show leadership and strength. He cannot regard the USA president as a friend. The special relationship between the UK and the USA which has been so lauded over decades, no longer exists at this moment.

We have to deal with the USA as a potential partner and negotiate from a position of strength.

President Trump blindsided his NATO allies yesterday when he announced these tariffs. And he announced them on his True Social website. Of course, the European leaders are also annoyed or perhaps furious as well and they must be. But they don't have egg on their faces and look stupid.

Donald Trump has embarked on a ridiculous escapade of trying to own Greenland - it has logic but it is still absurd. Trump should be entering into partnerships with the Greenlanders, Denmark and Europeans to defend the territory and in respect of mining for minerals.

He is trying to bully the world into allowing him to OWN it, in its entirety. He can't take it militarily because it is simply impossible because the island is owned by Denmark and the Greenlanders and Denmark is a NATO ally.

It said that he wants to buy it at a price of around $700 billion. That was a valuation made by academics and former US officials. It is a gross undervaluation in my view.

After the Second World War President Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold to buy the island which equates to about $1.7 billion today. 

I would say today, bearing in mind its critical strategic position and its mineral wealth, that its value is 10 times the $700 billion quoted i.e. $7 trillion. I'm thinking long-term as the ice is melting and Greenland will become more and more valuable going forward. 

It may be an island which is critical actually to the survival of humanity if global warming precedes as it is. It may become a place where the climate is amenably pleasant in a hundred years time. There could be mass migration from the south of the planet to Greenland! And if America owns it you can imagine the wealth that they could generate under those circumstances.

I also believe that Trump, personally, wants to own Greenland because he wants to make money for himself out of the mineral deposits on the island in terms of rare earth et cetera. He has accrued quite a lot of personal wealth during his term as president. He sees the office as an opportunity to increase his wealth which is probably unconstitutional but does he care? Not at all.

Update (Politico.eu): "McLarty Associates, an international strategic advisory firm based in Washington has said that "Resisting a new attempt at humiliation and vassalization is the only way Europe can finally assert itself as a geopolitical actor." No more acting like a poodle please.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

4 natural things a 77-year-old does to avoid constipation!

Men over 75 are more likely to suffer from constipation. There are many potential reasons which are listed below. I am pretty fit but recognise the fact that I need to ensure that I don't end up constipated. It is something that one wants to avoid. Here is how I do it.

1. I am as active as possible by e.g. walking in my local park for one hour per day. Good for mental health too. Regular walking helps prevent constipation by stimulating bowel movement and improving gut motility
2. I drink two glasses of water per day to hydrate. The experts want us to drink more than that but I can't. Laxido is a substitute treatment but I prefer entirely natural methods.
3. I eat 1.5 slices (!) of multi-seed wholemeal bread for breakfast with marmalade (Sainsbury's bread). The marmalade is irrelevant. The bread is useful fibre. Why 1.5 slices? Answer: to keep my weight down to the point where my waist is half my height when measured. This promotes good health.
4. Key: I drink a half tumbler of orange juice or other soft, healthy drink with 2 heaped spoonful's of milled Chia seeds daily. These seeds have among the highest level of fibre of all foods I am told. Fibre is essential to good bowel movement. I mix the seeds into the drink. It is not wonderful! But it is palatable and bloody marvellous at ensuring great bowel movements. Alternative: Psyllium husk has the highest fibre content of commonly consumed human foods, at roughly 70–80 percent fibre by weight. Psyllium husks are sold mainly as whole husks, powder (finely ground husk), granules, capsules, and ready-mixed sachets for stirring into water. But psyllium husk is harder to find at supermarkets. Chia can be bought at Sainsbury's in the UK.

Men over the age of 75 are more likely to experience constipation

Men over the age of 75 are more likely to experience constipation, and the reasons are layered rather than mysterious. Ageing changes the body’s rhythms. The digestive tract slows, intestinal muscles lose some of their spring, and the coordinated wave that moves stool along becomes less efficient. What once happened without thought can begin to stall.

Lifestyle factors quietly add weight to the problem. Older men often move less, whether due to joint pain, balance issues, or general fatigue. Physical movement acts like a gentle internal nudge to the bowels, and when that nudge fades, so can regularity. Diet also shifts with age. Appetite may decline, meals become smaller, and fibre intake often drops just when it is needed most.

Medications are another key player. Drugs commonly prescribed in later life, such as opioids, anticholinergics, antidepressants, and some blood pressure medicines, can slow bowel activity. Dehydration is also more common in older men, partly due to a reduced sense of thirst, and dry stools are harder to pass.

Finally, conditions more prevalent after 75, including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and prostate enlargement, can interfere with normal bowel function. Constipation in older men is therefore not a single problem, but the result of many small changes accumulating over time, turning a minor inconvenience into a persistent companion.

Note: I live with a cat! Cats want their caregiver to be healthy and functioning satisfactorily even if they don't know it!

Note: the suggestions on this page to avoid constipation are made on the premise that the person has no underlying illness that causes constipation.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Lazy Britons most likely to do hybrid work particularly to extend the weekend!

The Times tells us that the UK is the hybrid work capital of Europe. This is despite efforts by business owners to get employees back into the office because they believe that it is more productive when employees work from the office perhaps because they are able to communicate more fluidly with other employees and improve efficiencies.

I am not suggesting that this particular man is lazy!!

And the Times also reports that Mondays and Fridays remain the quietest days in offices. Surprise, surprise. 😃🙄

Being somewhat cynical, I take that to mean that hybrid workers simply see an opportunity to extend the weekend from 2 days to 4 and in effect have a three day working week which might explain why productivity in the UK is in a dire state and perhaps the lowest in Europe.

The UK has a productivity problem and although many experts have suggested various reasons for this such as a lack of investment (which is, by the way, also a major problem in the UK because businesses are under investing) I would like to suggest that the country has become lazy and flabby. There is a distinct lack of work ethic in my view.

I believe that the Covid pandemic in effect turned people off from the work ethic. In the UK they were given 80% of their salary for 18 months. To stay at home. Go to the park and do nothing while raking in 80% of their salary.

I think this has engendered a lazy attitude to work. It has reset the minds of many employees into believing that they needn't work to obtain a salary. And if they have to work as they do they will do as little as possible.

It is politically incorrect to state that hybrid working fosters laziness. But I think it's common sense that it does. Sitting at home with the kids trying to work on the computer when you're bound to be distracted if you have children, for example. 

Or if you haven't got children then you might be working alone and it takes a lot of self-discipline to work productively at home alone. The employers know, as mentioned, that it is better to have employees working from the office. Employees resist this now (and employers simply can't get them back into the office) and insist on hybrid working from day one.

And because in the UK there appears to be a skills shortage or a lack of really good high quality employees, employees tend to bend over backwards provide extra facilities in order to capture the employee.

Employers are giving employees the option to work in the hybrid style. I sense that there is a laziness in this country not only because of the extended weekend MO as mentioned, but because there is very large number of young men and women who're quite capable of working but refuse to work and have signed off sick with anxiety

It is also politically incorrect to say that these people are gaming the system. But it is true that they are. Obviously not all of them are gaming the system but hundreds of thousands are and this woke government simply will not address that sensitive point.

They're loathe to accuse these young people who should be working of being lazy and workshy. They want to try and encourage them back to work but personally, without seeming to be too right wing, I would kick their backsides to drive them back to work because that's what they need.

Their benefits need to be stopped and they need then to be forced back to work but perhaps they have generally lost their confidence and therefore the government will have to boost their confidence before they can participate in mainstream employed life.

P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Hybrid cars linked to a higher risk of a deadly crash according to The Times

Hybrid cars are linked to a higher risk of a deadly crash in the UK according to The Times. This has nothing to do with cats directly obviously! Unless the driver is a dear old lady who had a cat! Yes, as I say what affects us, affects cats directly or indirectly.

Old driver of a Yaris from the Yaris World Forum!! Point made.

But I think I have something to say on this matter. It concerns the UK. According to statistics from the Department Of Transport 122 people died in fatal collisions involving hybrid cars during 2024 compared with 777 deaths in crashes involving petrol-only vehicles.

The author of the article, Andrew Ellson (Consumer Affairs Correspondent), mulls over the possibilities as to why there is this large disparity between hybrid cars and petrol cars in terms of deaths.

In terms of pure statistics, hybrid cars are involved in approximately three times as many fatal accidents as petrol cars.

Overall the data shows that there was one death every 8,000 hybrid cars on the roads last year compared with one death every 20,000 diesel vehicles and one death for every 25,000 petrol engines.

The statistics from The Mail On Sunday have alarmed road safety experts. They want an enquiry as to the reasons for this disparity. It may be because hybrid vehicles are more prone to fires than petrol vehicles which I find unbelievable and a red herring.

It may be because hybrids could be harder to drive which is also unbelievable and certainly isn't the reason in my view.

The also speculate as to the complexity of hybrids being more prone to fire problems and these problems to be harder to deal with by firefighters. Once again I find it unbelievable as well.

I am thinking about the Toyota Yaris hybrid while writing this. It's a very popular hybrid vehicle. A small vehicle and very popular with elderly people. Old people like the vehicle because it is highly reliable, has excellent miles per gallon and is very controllable. Plus it is easy to park.

If you see a Toyota Yaris hybrid on the road you will almost certainly see an elderly person driving it, normally a woman.

I would suggest quite strongly that the reason why there are more deaths from hybrid cars is because elderly and very elderly people are driving them. They've lost their driving skills. They have lost their eyesight perhaps. There are more prone to accidents. Many people should no longer be driving on the roads, particularly elderly people because they have lost their ability to drive capably. This is often because of eyesight problems or perhaps coordination problems. They don't want to give up their car. Understandable but they have an obligation to report deficiencies to the DVLA.

I would suggest that it is far more likely the reason why hybrid cars are involved in fatalities more than petrol cars because of the demographics of the drivers concerned. The Times did not mention this obvious possibility which I think it much more plausible than the ones suggested by Andrew Ellson.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.