Donald Trump’s abrupt move to bar most travel from Europe blindsided allies long accustomed to explaining away the president’s criticism of NATO, talking down his threats of trade wars and biting their tongues over his decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal.
Trump’s garbled announcement on Wednesday night -- he said all travel, including cargo would be banned, before backtracking -- unleashed a torrent of criticism that the American president was turning a legitimate public health crisis into a moment for political opportunism.
