Not to mention, it's not just the US itself that relies on those forecasts - the rest of the world too. All this turmoil and confusion creates an opportunity for the EU and China (and perhaps also Japan and others) to take the lead.

(I'm not having high hopes for EU to move on this fast enough to achieve anything, but who knows.)

Little by little, the US is relinquishing the economical and political power it holds over the world. Which is worrying, as it increases the risk of a nuclear war.