Why does Boris Johnson have an optimistic outlook if Trump takes back the White House?

On By Karl

The former mayor of London and the Conservative Party’s UK prime minister tells USA TODAY what Donald Trump’s return to the White House could mean for world politics.

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NEW YORK — Counting Boris Johnson between current and old European leaders are alarmed With the possibility of Donald Trump winning a second term.

The former British prime minister argued in an interview with USA TODAY that Trump’s unpredictability helps unsettle despots — saying Russian President Vladimir Putin probably wouldn’t invade Ukraine if Trump were in the White House in 2022 — and that idea He refused. It also rattled allied leaders, perhaps less helpfully.

Even though he doesn’t support Trump or the Vice President Kamala HarrisJohnson described the final days of their fierce campaign as a “magnificent” demonstration of democracy, despite the division and anxiety that had American voters “freaking out.”

Johnson, 60, wrote a vivid 772-page memoir titled “Unleashed,” published by Harper. turbulent tenures As mayor of London, British foreign secretary and Conservative Prime minister.

Here’s some of what he said in his half-hour interview on Thursday: However, it is difficult to express in words that he imitates former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and others.

Answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Question: There are only a few days left until our election. Let me know what you think about our selection.

johnson: First of all, this thing drives everyone crazy, right? We’re in New York and people are going crazy. They’re going crazy about the election. We can say that there is real division and anxiety on both sides, but there is also something wonderful because no one knows what will happen on Tuesday….

And that’s a great thing because in Russia, China, and many other places, “elections” are being held, with commas in quotes (making air quotes), but they know exactly what the outcome will be. So the greatest country in the world has a living, dynamic democracy that is truly in the hands of the people. Even though it is chaotic, even though it can feel a little scary, it is wonderful….

Say what you will about both candidates, they are fighting for these votes and as far as I can see there is no collusion. They are struggling to persuade people to vote for them. This is it, this is democracy. And Vladimir Putin does not do this. It doesn’t come out. He doesn’t need to demonstrate with garbage trucks or speak at rallies. So is (Chinese President) Xi Jinping.

Question: You were one of the leaders who responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Given what Trump has said about Putin and his promise to end the war in one day, are you worried about what he might do about Ukraine if elected?

johnson: This is my optimistic scenario… When I look at what Trump actually did while he was in office, when I was secretary of state, and then when he was prime minister, I look at how he handled the Russia dossier compared to the Democrats… .

There’s a lot of Putin fans… and there’s a weird fan base of Republicans and journalists and people who think Putin is a down-to-earth family man or whatever they think – a God-loving, God-fearing man. Christian This is completely crazy.

But despite this, he did very good work. gave it to the Ukrainians javelin missiles, and Javelins were incredibly effective at blowing up Russian tanks in the battle of Kyiv….

I’m just saying: If you look at the actual evidence of what he did, it actually stands in stark contrast to the relative inertia of the previous Democratic administration. And I’m just saying it like they say. So just wait and see, I can say this….

Maybe you think I’m wrong, but instinctively I think he’ll be on the side of freedom. I don’t see how he can allow America and the West to be degraded, because that’s what happens. This is the biggest thing we have to face; The biggest war in Europe in 80 years. If NATO loses on his watch, it won’t be a good thing.

Q: So you trust Trump Negative Do what he says?

johnson: One thing that I believe is convincing is that it’s probably true that Putin wouldn’t have done this (the 22 invasion) if he were in the White House. I think this feels right to me….

People say one of the things that worries people is the unpredictability, right? “Oh, unpredictable.” This is a good thing. Doing business internationally is good because foreign leaders are a little nervous about it. All deterrence is based on unpredictability. All deterrence relies on unpredictability, but it also relies on force.

A: Does the unpredictability that helps despots and enemies ever worry allies?

What are you doing? There is so much nonsense being talked about about this. Let me give you an example, NATO, right?… There was a great summit (in Brussels in May 2017). I was the foreign minister. I was sitting right behind him. And I watched it. He made this speech, tore it up, and then impromptuly delivered this huge tirade against everyone. Angela Merkel was staring at him, stunned, and Macron looked sick as a parrot, but he was gorgeous.

The thing is, this was pure US policy… but it was done in a completely unconventional way. And then people reported at the summit that “Trump threatened to leave NATO.” He wasn’t like that. He was just voicing standard American policy and standard British policy to get the allies to spend more and pay more. But he did it in an unusual way.

Question: It alarmed everyone.

.johnson: It alarmed everyone. But it was good because they started paying more.

Q: In your book, you write that there have been “surprising developments” in Trump’s relations with Syria and Iran. But most European leaders don’t see it that way.

johnson: I think it’s just a stylistic thing… They think it’s a bit rude, but I don’t think so, and it’s a terrible thing to admit, but I like it, so shoot me. But I’d love it if he showed up with a garbage truck to satirize his rival. This is my level, okay? Maybe it doesn’t suit more refined political tastes, but I’m into it too.

Q: If Trump wins second term, could this be a sign that Boris Johnson will become prime minister again?

johnson: Look, I once said that I had as much chance of becoming prime minister as being reincarnated as an olive or going blind from champagne.

Question: Then you became prime minister,

johnson: This is true. This is true. But I think the truth is, I have a very happy, lucky life, and you will sense the answer to your question from the pages (holding up your book), Susan.

Question: As far as I understand from the pages of your book, you are not done with politics yet.

johnson: Really? Oh boy. Oh, brother. I have lots of energy but am currently living a life of guiltless limbo in Oxfordshire.

Question: In “Unleashed,” you write that on Election Night 2016, you suddenly realized that your “lizard brain” wanted Trump to win.

johnson: I think the mammalian cortex was with my State Department advisors, who were all for Hillary. I love Hillary Clinton. I think he is a very distinguished, very distinguished civil servant and very impressive. And I always enjoyed my conversations with him. I said some terrible things about him and he was always so kind and humorous. So in some ways I am a fan….

People attack populism, but I think our system is a great system and it doesn’t work unless you actually fix the things that people want you to fix. And unless you fix this problem, the really bad guys will take advantage of it. I am not a racist or from extremist parties… You should listen to their wind. You have to take their water and keep the society together.

Q: Does your lizard brain want Trump to win this time?

johnson: My lizard brain tells me very, very strongly that this is the decision of the American people.