Dollars and sense in Trump shock-and-awe policy on Ukraine

Henry Ergas is spot-on in his historic and moral assessment of the Russia-Ukraine war (“Cold reality is that Putin is no victim of the West”, 7/3).

However, Vladimir Putin is a tiny problem compared with China, North Korea, Iran, Hamas and perhaps even Indonesia.

Given its much superior economy, Europe easily could have put Putin back in his box at the beginning of his attack if it had not been so busy wasting its money and time fighting the climate. On the other hand, the American people have had to finance and even sacrifice their sons and daughters to fix almost every threat in the world since World War II.

They no longer have the finances to continue in this vein and are forced to choose their battles more carefully. Adding to the monetary drain on US finances is the burden of unprecedented illegal immigration and the accompanying social and financial chaos. Given that their interest bill is as big as the defence budget, practicality has to prevail.

Donald Trump is trying to cut back on potential threats because the US cannot fight them all. Most of us shudder at Trump’s methods, but there is a real threat to the Western world if he cannot shock the rest of us freeloaders into pulling our weight.

The American people know it. That’s why they elected him.

Jennifer Mullins, Mollymook Beach, NSW

Donald Trump’s demand that Ukraine pay for the military assistance it has received with its abundant mineral resources makes sense.

The US will have a vested financial interest in Ukraine and view its mineral wealth as its own if an agreement is reached. It will take the necessary military steps to defend those resources. It’s a potential win-win for both.

Michael J. Gamble, Belmont, Vic

It’s obvious Donald Trump’s mineral deal with Volodymyr Zelensky doesn’t contain any, or sufficient, security assurances for Ukraine.

And it’s equally obvious that most of the rare earth minerals Trump wants (as does Vladimir Putin) are in the soil now unlawfully conquered by Russia.

So why would Putin allow Trump to mine those minerals and suddenly stop fighting Ukraine? There’s a big part of the picture Trump is refusing to reveal, and it is probably a secret and unpalatable deal with Putin.

Murray Alder, Canning Vale, WA

The slogan Make America Great Again has been romanticised by Donald Trump and his followers. Trump espouses peace but shows no sign of listening.

It is difficult to stand by in the face of material power, but a path can be found to progress and peace via co-operation, shared values and basic kindness – if only we can get through to Trump.

Roslyn Smith, Middle Park, Qld

Insurance legacy

All Australians will be hopeful that the effects of Cyclone Alfred will be minimal as it closes in on southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW (“ ‘Five-day flood’: Alf’s slow burn”, 7/3).

It’s appropriate that the premiers of these states and the mayors of cities and towns in the affected area fill television screens to reassure their constituencies and to keep us abreast of events.

Anthony Albanese will play a part in Alfred’s aftermath. With a federal election looming, it won’t harm the Prime Minister’s standing in the community to be generous in supporting affected residents.

He may recognise, in passing, the Morrison government for its insight in establishing the $10bn cyclone reinsurance pool to help mitigate the cost of insurance premiums to eligible household and businesses in cyclone prone regions.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Is it greed or need?

Watching the US government imposing tariffs on the country’s neighbours, Mexico and Canada, this week one wonders if the endgame really is to Make America Great Again.

Canada is going to respond in kind and already there are producers constructing huge greenhouses so they may grow more food for the population.

The US move isn’t very neighbourly and one wonders if it is need or greed on the part of the US. Time will tell.

Claire Jolliffe, Buderim, Qld

Adam Creighton’s analysis of the parlous state of the US budget (“Method behind Trumpian upheaval”, 7/3) ignores the elephant in the room, which is the Republicans’ unwavering commitment to tax cuts for the wealthy.

Donald Trump’s 2017 tax cuts increased the US debt by eroding the revenue base, further concentrating wealth in the hands of the wealthy, yet failing to deliver the promised “trickle-down” economic stimulus.

Remarkably, here they are again with proposed tax cuts that still will require raising the debt limit. Trump’s commitment to fiscal responsibility is all smoke and mirrors.

Sue Lester, Grange, SA