Broken Promises

Whether you agree with the Iranian Nuclear Deal or not, we have a problem. During the last administration, the United States signed a multi-country contract that removed most economic sanctions against Iran for their promise that they would not develop a nuclear weapon during the terms of the agreement. There doesn't seem to be any evidence that the Iranians have broken their end of the bargain. The International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA), EU, and US have all certified compliance. Apparently, deals with the United States are only good during one administration. Any change at president or Congress is a valid reason to break agreements, deals, treaties. With that is mind, an agreement with the United States may only be honored for two years, when Congress could turn over. I have to wonder, does Trump really think this is a bad deal or is it just a deal that Obama's administration made, thereby bad by association? No one has ever claimed it was a perfect deal but the participants felt it was the best deal possible at the time. 

This is a hallmark of the Trump administration. Since Trump's inauguration, we have withdrawn from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), The Paris Accord, and now the Iranian Nuclear Deal. There is also the threat to exit NAFTA. There were veiled threats about not honoring our NATO obligations. There seems to be no past contract by the United States that can't be broken. That is especially true of any deal agreed to during the eight years Obama was president.

The Iran deal was not a bilateral agreement between Iran and the US. The deal also included The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China and the European Union. NAFTA is between three countries. TPP included 11 other countries on both sides of the Pacific. The Paris Accord has been agreed to by virtually every country on Earth except the US. Is the goal to isolate the United States from the rest of the world? If so, the Trump administration is doing a great job. 

Specifically, we have broken or withdrawn from a nuclear deal. How trusting of negotiations with the US should Kim Jong-un be? Even if there is an agreement, will the US honor and live up to it in two or four or six or eight years? There are also ongoing trade negotiations going on with China.

Regardless of whether you agree with the terms of a contract you agreed to, you are obligated to live up to the terms. We all have made bad decisions over the years. It may be a bad deal on cable TV, cell service, a mortgage, a car, a lease, etc. I would like to reduce my monthly rent by a few hundred dollars. Unfortunately, there is a pesky lease that I signed.

Historians know that this is a troubling pattern for US agreements. Our government broke almost every treaty we signed with the numerous Native American tribes. It appears that we continue this behavior into the 21st century. 

There are some old fashion ideas that a person, group, company or nation should live up to their commitments. I guess those principles are outdated. 

Based on history it would seem precarious to make a deal with the United States. It would seem foolish to make a deal with Trump either in his private or public life. 

I'm hopeful that Iran and the other signers of that nuclear agreement can work out an acceptable alternative. I also hope that North Korea, South Korea, and the United States can work out a peaceful and long-term solution to that tinderbox. 

While we often hear the term "trust but verify" in regard to treaties we usually assume that applies to the other party because they are not completely trustworthy. Maybe it is really the United States that can't be trusted. 

wjh