Trump runs riot at the NATO summit: from criticism of Italia to universal love

Donald Trump spoke off the cuff at the NATO summit in Ankara. In the morning, he lashed out at European allies – in particular Spain, against which he threatened to cut off trade relations – and described Italy as ‘terrible’. Then, in the afternoon, Italia became ‘good’, the leaders were described as intelligent, and the meeting room was filled with immense love. The US president first announced new military action against Iran, then added that he was not sure he wanted a deal, and finally said that the war was not starting again. Trump thus monopolised attention, particularly on the summit’s final day, which began with US air strikes on Iranian targets and ended with praise for Erdogan – who could have sided with Iran against Israel, but did not – and for American weapons: they are the best, he said; everyone wants them.