'KEEP OUR COUNSEL TO OURSELVES AND NOT BE BULLIED OR CAJOLED OR MISLED'

The Statue of Liberty stands as mute testimony to a free world, promised, but only to the chosen few.

- By Sanjeev Gupta

Post World War 2, the United States (U.S.) has been the best recruiter of global talent while summarily dismissing all purebred freedom struggles unless it fit their discourse.

Mr Trump says he was impressed with the young Liberian president's command of English.

The fine art of ancient U.S. policy, so succinctly articulated by George W Bush after 9/11, as “you are either with us or against us”. An active strategy now of the you-will-be-made-to-listen-to-us-and-no-other-or-you-will-perish mantra.

Gabon's president told President Trump in July when visiting the U.S. that they “are not poor countries”. Instead, they are “rich countries” who remain poor. He dared to suggest win-win partnerships.

It’s perhaps a good idea to bring China into this dialogue now. The U.S. had been spanked silly by China across sectors. So, the fight back is predictably vicious.