Presidents have been trying unsuccessfully for years to get Germany and other rich NATO Nations to pay more toward their protection from Russia. They pay only a fraction of their cost. The U.S. pays tens of Billions of Dollars too much to subsidize Europe, and loses Big on Trade!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2018
....On top of it all, Germany just started paying Russia, the country they want protection from, Billions of Dollars for their Energy needs coming out of a new pipeline from Russia. Not acceptable! All NATO Nations must meet their 2% commitment, and that must ultimately go to 4%!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2018
The Hill: Trump’s relationship with Merkel sinks even lower
President Trump’s relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel seemingly couldn’t get any colder.
The two have been at odds since before his presidency began.
Trump ripped Merkel during the campaign and didn't shake her hand the first time she visited Washington after his inauguration.
Merkel, who enjoyed a strong relationship with President Obama, has responded in kind. Her office released a now-famous photo after the G-7 summit in Canada earlier this year that appeared to depict her staring down Trump. For many, the photo highlighted Trump's isolation among Western leaders.
Read more ....
Update: German politicians rally round Angela Merkel after Donald Trump's NATO tirade (DW)
WNU Editor: There has been animosity between President Trump and Angela Merkel's government since the 2016 U.S. election campaign. This is nothing new .... Things Donald Trump said about Angela Merkel – and vice versa (DW).
10 comments:
Germany was never America's friend.
We were allies of necessity during the Cold War.
It's only natural that we are going back to our historical ambivalence now that the CW good memories are fading.
Trump was right to focus on energy because the USA has lots to export and the EU needs lots to import. The main Netherland gas field is being slowly shutdown by the Dutch due to earthquakes and the Dutch's suicidal drive to a green economy. That gas field was a big export to Germany so the Germans are looking to Russia to replace cheap Dutch gas.
Second the Germans are suicidal like the Dutch and have shut down viable and cheap energy sources such as coal and nuclear while adding 10's of billions of marginally useful wind and solar that are extremely price uncompetitive. Since that has been a bust the Germans are doubling down on natural gas. Today contrary to what the Germans are saying, they get about 40% of their natural gas from Russia before NordStream 2.
https://www.wingas.com/en/raw-material-natural-gas/where-does-europe-get-its-natural-gas.html
Once that huge pipeline comes online the 40% will grow year by year. Trump's argument has always been "Why give tens of billions to Russia, NATO's enemy? Send it to the USA who defends you."
It's a question the Germans have refused to answer.
You must expect a degree of hostility, even if it is well hidden when the leader of an occupied nation is talking to the head of the occupying nation.
Smith you think Trump doesn't consider it an occupied country?
Ask him the next time you two pigs are at the trough.
Just pulling your chain Captain Dunsel.
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