IT is disturbing to see the ostensible “leader of the free world”, Donald Trump, look so disconnected and isolated on his visit to Europe and Nato. The pictures reminded me of his one European ally, Theresa May, and her non-relationship with the EU’s national leaders.

In 1973 I was in a London hotel at the same time as a dozen or so Americans of a similar age to myself (early twenties). The conversations were all about Richard Nixon and Watergate; is it true, should he be impeached, imprisoned. People here perhaps don’t realise the respect the office of President carried then, with a population reared on tales of George Washington –“I cannot tell a lie” –and other US Presidents, even after years of anti-Vietnam protests. So Nixon was a big shock (a year after a landslide election), but it took a lot of good journalism, a staunch newspaper proprietor and “Deep Throat”, a source who knew all, to eventually bring him down.

Some people are already associating Mr Trump with impeachment on several fronts. I find that a stretch. President Trump won’t quit; there is a Republican majority everywhere that counts; a lot of the media in the US have his back. There is no Deep Throat this time round.

So it looks to me that we are stuck with Mr Trump for some time. He appears not to trust European leaders, and they don’t appear to trust him. I think this will lead to some loosening of the bonds that bind us in the West, on trade, defence, climate policy and basic confidence in each other.

Russia wins whether it has compromised Mr Trump or not.

GR Weir,

17 Mill Street, Ochiltree.