Donald Trump has never been shy about making deals with Vladimir Putin. But his latest agreement involving Russian diesel fuel raises some serious questions about whose interests are being served.
Apparently there is not much diesel in this deal. In fact, analysts say it “will have zero net impact on world energy markets or the world price of diesel in the rising costs of diesel fuel.” So why is Trump headstrong to make this deal? I’m guessing it’s because he is desperate to come up with a solution for high fuel prices before the midterms. That ship has sailed and is still stuck in the Strait of Hormuz — His own doing!
Putin would benefit the most from the Diesel Deal. Sanctions will be lifted, and perhaps most importantly, the optics of the United States selling out Ukraine will go a long way to further his strategy.
The idea behind this cartoon is that Trump has always presented himself as the ultimate dealmaker and yet consistently his “deals” with Putin and his ilk serve their interests at the expense of the United States and our European Allies. Making a good deal requires more than getting what you want today. It means understanding what you’re giving up tomorrow. And that’s especially true when you’re dealing with someone like Putin.
I wanted the cartoon to make a simple point about priorities. While Trump concentrates on the diesel deal in front of him, Putin has something much bigger on his desk.
The devil, as they say, is in the details. And the sinister look I drew on Putin’s face, betrays his devilish plans — and his likely estimation of Donald Trump’s intelligence.