In the past, I have been charged with being an apologist for a corrupt or incompetent leader when I sought to understand and explain their nation’s actions. During the Biden administration, when I explained what he was doing in Ukraine, I was charged with willfully ignoring the fact that his actions were based on his son’s and his own private interests in Ukraine. Similarly, I have been charged with being an apologist for President Donald Trump by explaining the reasons behind his actions that are seen by others as irrational. The process of explaining can appear as a justification of corruption and irrationality, but I have been confident that I understood the impersonal forces that compelled them to act as they did in achieving the national interest.

There are times when my method of thought does not work, as is the case with all methods of thought. I am at that point now. I must confess that I do not understand the reasons or forces behind Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on European countries that are not willing to cede Greenland to the United States. I clearly understand the importance of Greenland from a national security perspective, of the Arctic route, and even of wanting access to the minerals there. I understand to some extent Trump’s desire for greater control of Greenland, but I confess I do not fully understand why he thinks the U.S. lacks sufficient control under the current agreement with Denmark. What I cannot understand or explain is why he has decided to impose tariffs on European nations that oppose giving the U.S. formal command of Greenland. By treaty – and in reality – the U.S. has all the control it needs over Greenland, such that acquiring the island does not seem to be an imperative – certainly not so urgent as to require punishing allied nations.

To this point, I have understood his intentions. At this point, I can no longer explain them.