Donald Trump will rejoice if Jeremy Corbyn becomes Prime Minister

If, as seems increasingly likely, Jeremy Corbyn becomes British Prime Minister in June, his victory should be greeted not simply with incredulity in the United States, but also elation. A Corbyn triumph should arrive as soothing balm to Donald Trump’s wounded feelings. Corbyn stands for much of what Trump has espoused. Both men revile NATO, favour protectionism, admire Russia and want to upend the traditional political establishment. And both men were long dismissed as having zero chance at winning. And now?

A Corbyn victory would help put wind in Trump’s sails. Take foreign policy. Trump was manifestly uncomfortable during his brief visit to NATO, shoving aside the Prime Minister of Montenegro and hectoring the allies about their niggardly defense outlays. With Corbyn as Prime Minister, Trump would have a soulmate, someone he could instinctively trust when it comes to espousing an emollient approach towards Moscow. As Corbyn has put it, “there cannot be a return to a cold war mentality.”