I think that to some extent Trump and his circle know all this and yes, they are giving the Euroregime the chance to save face by playing the villain while they do what Trump wants (step up and pay up), because they don't really want an *actual* regime change in Europe. Which also helps Trump save face with his most ignorant MAGA base members. Same with the retarded and so blatantly contrived Canada controversy -- exactly what Trudeau needed to prevent Poilievre from having the easiest win ever.