He would be well advised to keep his bully tactics to himself and explore a more viable way to induce the good will and support of his Republican party members.
I question who or what the ultimate impetus is for the "fire", lit under the trap door of Pres. Trump's long johns? Is Robt. Mueller's investigation getting too close? Does Putin's latest message to Trump speak a more cryptic rebuke of Trump? Does Putin have a greater consequential power of influence that could threaten or break Trump? What would that influence and power actually mean for Trump and his spider-webbed organization?
It is interesting that China and Russia hold a large portion of the loans for Venezuelan debt due to be repaid to them... very soon. Pres. Nicolas Maduro, faces a possible Venezuelan bankruptcy that could force their country's debt into the receivership of China or Russia. This is all important because of the international oil grab at stake. Exxon and Citgo Petroleum Corporation figure predominantly in the scheme of things, no matter how muddied the waters get.
From Wikipedia:
Citgo Petroleum Corporation (or Citgo) is a Venezuelan-owned American refiner, transporter ... Russian government-owned oil company Rosneft. The company has its American headquarters in the Energy Corridor area of Houston, Texas.
Headquarters: Houston, Texas, U.S.
From the Washington Post:
In a crazy twist of international events, Russia's state-owned oil company Rosneft might end up owning Citgo, a US energy company based in Houston, Texas.
This isn't a direct takeover. Instead, it hinges on the ability of Venezuela's state-run oil company to pay back its Russian loan. The Venezuelan company owns Citgo, which was used as collateral for the loan.
Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are highly alarmed. In hotly worded letters to the Trump Administration in recent days, members of Congress and senators warned that it could be a big problem for US national security if Russia gets a hold of Citgo.
"We are extremely concerned that Rosneft's control of a major US energy supplier could pose a grave threat to American energy security, impact the flow and price of gasoline for American consumers, and expose critical US infrastructure to national security threats," a bipartisan group of senators led by Republican Marco Rubio of Florida and Democrat Bob Menendez of New Jersey wrote Monday in a letter to US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
This entire situation stems from the fact that Venezuela has been desperate for cash lately. Venezuela's state-run oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), has owned Citgo since the 1980s. In exchange for a loan from Rosneft in December, Venezuela's oil company put up a large stake (49.9%) in Citgo as collateral.
If PDVSA can't pay its bills on time, Rosneft will almost certainly get control of Citgo. All Rosneft would need to do is buy a few more of PDVSA's bonds to get over the 50% ownership threshold.
"The Russians have a lot to gain through the PDVSA-Rosneft-Citgo asset transfer to the detriment of US interests," wrote Republican Congressman Jeff Duncan and Democratic Congressman Albio Sires in a letter to Mnuchin on Thursday. "We urge your immediate attention and review of this matter."
Mnuchin is chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which determines whether foreign ownership of US companies or assets is a good idea.
While Venezuela or PDVSA won't run out of money immediately, there is a reasonable chance they will by the end of 2017. That could mean PDVSA won't be able to pay back the Russian loan.
It won't happen this week, says Francisco Monaldi, a fellow in Latin American Energy Policy at Rice University's Baker Institute. "But they may default with their next big payment in October or November."
From Reuters:
Russia's top oil producer Rosneft is negotiating to swap its collateral in Venezuelan-owned, U.S.-based refiner Citgo for oilfield stakes and a fuel supply deal - a move to avoid complications from U.S. sanctions, two sources with knowledge of the negotiations told Reuters.
State-owned Rosneft holds a 49.9 percent stake in Citgo as collateral for a loan last year of about $1.5 billion to the OPEC nation, which is reeling from low oil prices and a severe recession.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
What would U.S. sanctions mean then?
"Good Night and Sweet Dreams!"
"Boner Appertite!"
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