PRESIDENT ON A MISSION – AT 8:12 A.M. ET:   The president launches his second international trip today, in the shadow of North Korea's latest nuclear test.  From Fox: 

President Donald Trump is just days away from crucial meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at this year’s G20 Summit in Germany. First, he stops today in Poland, where a conservative populace and strong pro-American sentiments are sure to make him feel welcome.

Maybe, if the West Europeans showed some respect for President Trump, they'd get some in return.  But it's very hard for Western Europe, with its socialist illusions, to understand reality.

He’s due to address a regional summit of Eastern European leaders and deliver a speech outlining his vision for trans-Atlantic ties.

Trump’s policies and statements have ruffled the feathers of many world leaders since he took office.

On Friday, leaders from the world’s biggest economies will meet at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, where many of those public spats could be rekindled.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she wants the summit to focus on key international issues such as climate change, free trade and an unfettered press — issues that push up against Trump’s positions and populist rhetoric.

COMMENT:   By contrast, Trump seems to be developing a good relationship with the new leaders of France.  He had a successful meeting with the new South Korean leader last week.  And he is making substantial progress in the Mideast. 

The headline of the trip will be the meeting with Putin.  The anti-Trump press will look for signs that the president is "soft" on Putin, and Trump must be careful not to provide the press with ammunition, something he unfortunately does regularly.  I'd like to see the White House describe the meeting as "correct and frank," which usually means troubled.  That's just right.

At the same time, Trump must make clear to the West Europeans that America is a worldwide power with worldwide interests.  Western Europe is only one of those interests.  The West Europeans demand too much attention. 

July 5, 2017