THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN BRUSSELS

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was not able to emulate Julius Caesar's veni, vidi, vici. Despite the polite applause during luncheon, it was a non vici. The NATO members were once again mostly patronized, the press ignored and, more seriously, any strategic thought was, as usual, on sick leave. In Brussels as in Ankara, a genuine meeting of minds did not occur. He just looks and acts as if he does not like his job.  That is all there is to him, despite his "tango metaphor" about Lavrov and the usual lamentations regarding member states contributions.

Another frightening aspect of this Trump administration's inroads in foreign policy is the blatant absence of a coherent agenda. The secretary of State looks as clueless and detached from a transformational, issues-oriented strategy as the president appears to be. Malta, which exercises the presidency of the EU, shows more creative input than this US foreign policy apparatus in lock out.  

Friendly partners of the US are in shock after their meetings with the president or in the State Department, but remain discreet with their "appreciation". Leaders who might have a less benevolent view of the current American wasteland might arrive at less charitable and more nefarious conclusions. The upcoming meetings of Trump with the Egyptian and the Chinese presidents are already anticipated with the "fasten seat belts" sign on. Future moves regarding i.a. trade and climate change remain unpredictable and might well be decided by a 6 am tweet.

President Trump is expected in Europe in May (NATO, G7 in Taormina). If his performance follows the obtuse style, hallmark of this administration, he would do better abstaining. Dismantling the United States is bad enough, throwing the world's better behavior under the bus is a risk to be avoided at all cost.