U.S. To Withdraw About 12,000 Soldiers From Germany But Half Will Stay In Europe

© Global Look Press / dpa-Zentralbild / Jens Büttner

Reuters: U.S. to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany but nearly half to stay in Europe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Wednesday unveiled plans to withdraw about 12,000 troops from Germany following a decision by President Donald Trump, but said it will keep nearly half of them in Europe to address tension with Russia.

Trump announced his intention last month to cut the 36,000-strong U.S. troop contingent in Germany to 25,000, faulting the close U.S. ally for failing to meet NATO’s defense spending target and accusing it of taking advantage of the United States on trade.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper has sought, however, to present the pullout in a way that would prevent undermining NATO and its efforts to deter Russian intervention, following Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

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More News On The U.S. Withdrawing About 12,000 Soldiers From Germany

US to withdraw or relocate more troops in Germany than previously thought -- DW
US to bring 6,400 troops home from Germany, move 5,400 more -- AP
U.S. moves nearly 12,000 troops out of Germany -- CNBC
US to withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany in move that will cost billions and take years -- CNN
US says it will withdraw nearly 12,000 troops from Germany and place around half elsewhere in Europe -- Euronews
U.S. to withdraw almost 12,000 troops from Germany in sweeping reorganization -- NBC
Pentagon: US Troops From Germany to Be Repositioned Closer to Russia's Borders -- Sputnik
Thousands of US troops to begin moving out of Germany within weeks – Pentagon chief -- RT

Poll: European Trust In The US As A World Leader Has Collapsed During The Pandemic

The Guardian: Europeans' trust in US as world leader collapses during pandemic

Many citizens appalled by Donald Trump’s handling of coronavirus crisis, study finds.

The coronavirus crisis has caused a dramatic deterioration in the European public perception of the US, extensive new polling reveals.

More than 60% of respondents in Germany, France, Spain, Denmark and Portugal said they had lost trust in the United States as a global leader.

A report based on the survey’s findings argues that the shock of the pandemic has “traumatised” European citizens, leaving them feeling “alone and vulnerable”.

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WNU Editor: Details on this poll are here .... Together in trauma: Europeans and the world after covid-19 (European Council on Foreign Relations). What's my take of this poll. The U.S. is not alone in not being trusted. Most Europeans do not trust their own EU institutions and fellow EU member states.

What Must Europe Do To Guarantee Its Security As The U.S. Departs

Germany hosts the largest portion of US troops — roughly 38,600, including those at the US Air Force base in Ramstein

DW: How will Europe guarantee its security without the US?

News of the withdrawal of US troops from Germany has prompted calls for Europe to play a bigger defense role. Could Europeans really take their security fate into their own hands?

Days after US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of roughly one third of US troops stationed in Germany, the shock still lingers.

Politicians at every level are grappling with the consequences: Mayors in economically weak regions are worried about losing income when the GIs leave, Germany's foreign minister is worried about the further deterioration of relations with the US and military planners in Brussels are pondering the implication for Europe's own security architecture. Germany has been a key component of the US defense strategy in Europe for decades, with US nuclear weapons — to be delivered by German fighter jets in a moment of crisis — stationed here.

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WNU Editor: It is very simple on what Europe needs to do to guarantee its security without the US. The solution is to spend a lot more money. A hell of a lot more money.

Is Europe Abandoning The U.S. And Embracing China?

Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Reuters

Business Insider: Europe is abandoning Trump on the world stage as it turns away from the US toward China

* Recent polling suggests Europeans are turning away from the US under President Donald Trump's leadership.
* Public opinion toward America has declined in major European countries since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
* Seventy-six percent of Germans in a new poll said their view of America had deteriorated because of the crisis.
* Roughly equal numbers of Germans in the poll favored maintaining close relationships with China and the US in a head-to-head matchup.
* One poll last week found that just 2% of French people trusted Trump to provide world leadership.
* China is exerting growing political, diplomatic, and financial power across Europe.

President Donald Trump is presiding over the deterioration of the US's position on the world stage as European countries increasingly look toward China as a future global leader.

This shift is apparent in a series of recent opinion polls that found European sentiment toward the US to be in decline since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

New polling published in Germany this week found that an overwhelming majority of Germans said they had a worse opinion of the US because of the pandemic.

The survey found that 76% of Germans said their view of the US had deteriorated because of the pandemic, compared with 36% who said the same of China.

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WNU Editor: If Europe thinks that embracing China is their future .... they are going to be in for a big and unpleasant surprise.

Europe Is Not Taking President Trump's Threats Over Huawei Seriously

Donald Trump and Angela Merkel Reuters

Business Insider: The United States' European allies are no longer taking Trump's 'apoplectic' threats seriously

* Trump's repeated threats to the United States' European allies to fall into line with US policy on Huawei are failing.
* The United Kingdom last month backed a deal with the Chinese telecoms company despite a furious call to prime minister Boris Johnson from the president.
* Now the German government is also preparing to rule out a ban on Huawei.
* Other European leaders are set to follow their lead and defy Trump after the president failed to follow-through on his threats to the UK.

In recent months Trump has issued a series of threats to European allies which were designed to force them into following his administration's ban on the Chinese telecoms company Huawei.

However, the threats, which included a plan to withdraw from the US intelligence-sharing relationship with the United Kingdom, appear to have failed, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreeing a deal with Huawei anyway.

Trump reportedly reacted with rage to Johnson's decision and slammed down the phone on the prime minister in a call last month.

However, far from fearing a similar reaction from Trump, other European countries are now moving to take a very similar position to Johnson.

This week Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats backed a positions paper which ruled out an outright ban on Huawei.

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WNU Editor: The priority in Europe is to develop commercial and trade relations with China. U.S. concerns on national security over Huawei is not their priority.

The Trump Administration Threatened 25% Tariffs On European Cars Over Their Iran Policy

The Guardian: Germany confirms Trump made trade threat to Europe over Iran policy

Defence minister says Trump threatened to impose 25% tariff on European cars.

The United States threatened to impose 25% tariffs on cars to push Europeans to initiate proceedings against Iran for violating the nuclear deal, the German defence minister has confirmed.

“This threat exists,” said the German defence minister, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, at a press conference in London.

She was asked about an article in the Washington Post that claimed Trump had secretly warned France, Germany and the UK that the US would impose a “25% tariffs on European cars” if they did not activate the mechanism for the settlement of disputes (MRD) of the Iranian international nuclear agreement reached in Vienna in 2015.

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WNU Editor: Iran is accusing Europe of "selling out" .... Iran says Europeans of "sold out" nuclear deal under Trump's auto tariff threat (CBS/AP). Also see above video.

More News On The Trump Administration Threatening 25% Tariffs On European Cars Over Their Iran Policy

The Trump administration threatened 25% tariffs on European cars if Britain, Germany, and France didn't play ball on Iran -- Business Insider
'The threat exists': Germany confirms possibility of higher European car tariffs from US -- The Local/AFP
Trump threatened UK with 25% car tariffs unless it agreed to accuse Iran of breaking nuclear deal -- The Independent
US threatened Europe with auto tariffs over Iran: Washington Post -- Al Jazeera
German defence minister confirms US car tariff threat over Iran -- City A.M.

Europe Is Reluctant To Help The U.S. On Iran

MSNBC: Trump admin wonders why Europe hasn’t been ‘helpful’ on Iran

The Trump administration clearly rattled the international landscape with its latest offensive against Iran, and as the Wall Street Journal reported, it’s not altogether pleased with the response from some of the leading U.S. allies.

* Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed disappointment with European allies after they voiced concern that the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani could trigger further violence.

* Following the drone strike that killed Gen. Soleimani and an Iraqi paramilitary leader this week, Mr. Pompeo held phone calls with European allies, major powers China and Russia and regional partners such as Pakistan. According to State Department officials and official readouts of the calls, he told his counterparts that the strike was conducted to head off further violence and de-escalate tensions.

Note the use of the word “following” – as in, Donald Trump and his team launched the airstrike, which was followed by White House outreach to our European allies. Given the nature of the mission and threat, U.S. officials could’ve alerted our allies to the gambit before it was launched, but chose not to.

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Update #1: US allies distance themselves from Trump decision to assassinate Suleimani -- The Guardian
Update #2: 'There is still a place for diplomacy', says France's Le Drian in wake of Soleimani killing -- France 24

WNU Editor: The EU are publicly distancing themselves from the White House when it comes to Iran, but they are also preparing for more sanctions .... Europeans set to toughen Iran response over nuclear violations: diplomats (Reuters). More here .... European powers to decide in coming days on Iran dispute mechanism: French minister (Reuters).

Update #3: Has Europe's Iran policy failed? (see video below). My answer is yes.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Europe Not ‘Helpful’ As They Could Be Over Soleimani Killing

Washington Examiner: Pompeo: Europe not being as ‘helpful’ as they could be over Soleimani killing

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the European allies of the United States have been less understanding than he had hoped about the killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

“I spent the last day and a half, two days, talking to partners in the region, sharing with them what we were doing, why we were doing it, seeking their assistance, they've all been fantastic. And then talking to our partners in other places that haven't been quite as good. Frankly, the Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be,” Pompeo told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Friday.

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Update #1: Soleimani: Pompeo accuses Europe of not being 'helpful' over Iran attack (Euronews/AP)
Update #2: Pompeo after Soleimani strike: 'The Europeans haven't been as helpful as I wish that they could be' (The Hill)

WNU Editor: The Europeans are like the Gulf countries. They are all afraid .... Gulf allies of US fear reprisals after Soleimani killing (AFP).

Former EU Council Leader Donald Tusk Tweets Image Mimicking A Gun Behind President Trump's Back

Despite seasonal turbulences our transatlantic friendship must last #Trump #NATO pic.twitter.com/s8av9gr6eZ

— Donald Tusk (@donaldtuskEPP) December 5, 2019

Daily Mail: Donald takes aim at Donald: Former EU Council head Tusk tweets image of him holding two fingers against Trump's back as if it was a gun as he becomes latest top politician to mock US president

* Donald Tusk posted image of him pointing two fingers at Donald Trump's back
* Former EU Council leader made 'gun' gesture after the NATO summit in London
* He then tweeted a picture of the prank from his personal account to his followers
* It was the second time at the summit that Trump was mocked by world leaders

Former EU Council chief Donald Tusk took a shot at Donald Trump by pretending to point a gun into the back of the US president before tweeting the image today.

The ex-European Council boss made the cheeky gesture outside the NATO summit in London yesterday.

As Trump stood in front of him, Tusk pointed two fingers at his back so his hand mimicked a gun.

He then tweeted a picture of the prank from his personal account to his 6,800 followers with a message of transatlantic unity.

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WNU Editor: Like Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau "dumping" on President Trump behind his back during a reception on Tuesday, these people think it is cool. Most of us see it differently. Talking behind people's back is incredibly disrespectful, especially at this level. And as for Donald Tusk's above tweet. One word comes to my mind right away. Disgusting. But he thinks it is cool.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Holds Emergency Meeting With EU Leaders In Brussels

Daily Mail: Pompeo will have emergency meeting with EU leaders in Brussels today to discuss Iran sanctions after cancelling Russian talks

* Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was supposed to visit Moscow to meet Putin
* Pompeo will instead visit Brussels to have emergency meeting to discuss Iran
* He will meet with EU leaders to talk about Iran sanctions then travel to Russia
* Hassan Rouhani issued an ultimatum to the EU to give sanction relief to Iran

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to visit Brussels on Monday to discuss 'pressing matters' including Iran instead of attending a meeting in Moscow.

As a result of his EU meeting, the top US diplomat is scrapping a stop expected on Monday in Moscow, a State Department official said on Sunday.

But he will still head to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday to meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the official added just before Pompeo left Washington.

An EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting is scheduled in Brussels on Monday, but the State Department did not offer specific details of Pompeo's revised agenda.

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WNU Editor: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be in Russia tomorrow .... Pompeo to arrive in Sochi for talks with Lavrov on May 14 (TASS).

More News On Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Holding An Emergency Meeting With EU Leaders In Brussels

Pompeo shared details on Iran threats with NATO: State Department -- Reuters
Pompeo is warned against starting war with Iran 'by accident' after flying to Brussels for talks with European leaders as American firepower arrives in the Gulf -- Daily Mail
Pompeo skips planned Moscow trip to meet with European officials on Iran -- CBS/AP
Pompeo skips Moscow, heads to Brussels to discuss Iran situation -- CNN
Pompeo heading to Brussels before Russia trip -- The Hill
Europe warns US against Iran escalation as tensions mount -- AFP
Britain warns of Iran-U.S. conflict, Pompeo meets Europeans -- Reuters
Britain warns US-Iran conflict could break out ‘by accident’ -- AP

U.S. B-52 Bombers Head To Europe

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall, England, above the coast English coast, March 14, 2019. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Emerson Nuñez

Business Insider: A big batch of B-52 bombers is flying into Europe amid heightened tensions with Russia

* A large Bomber Task Force reportedly consisting of up to six B-52 Stratofortress heavy long-range bombers are flying into Europe this week.
* The rotation, which comes at a time of heightened tension with Russia, is focused on interoperability training, but there is a deterrent element as well.
* This week, B-52 bombers also flew over the disputed South China Sea, where the US and China have repeatedly found themselves at odds.

US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress heavy long-range bombers are flying into Europe this week, US Air Forces Europe - Africa announced Thursday, at a time Russia is making threats against the US as a Cold War-era missiles ban collapses.

A Bomber Task Force consisting of bombers from the 2nd Bomb Wing out of Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana are deploying to the US European Command area of operations.

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More News On B-52 Bombers Heading To Europe

B-52 Bombers Arrive in Europe for Integration Exercises and Training -- Military.com
American B-52 bombers to fly into UK this week amid mounting Russia tensions -- Mirror
U.S. Air Force Nuclear-Capable Bombers Head To Europe -- Zero Hedge
USAF B-52 Bomber Reportedly Spotted Flying Near Russia's Borders in Baltic Sea -- Sputnik

U.S. Citizens Will Soon Need A Visa To Visit Europe

CNN: United States citizens will need a visa to visit Europe starting in 2021

US citizens traveling to Europe without a visa will be a thing of the past come 2021.

The European Union announced on Friday that American travelers will need a new type of visa -- a European Travel Information and Authorization System or ETIAS -- to visit the European Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area is a zone of 26 European countries that do not have internal borders and allow people to move between them freely, including countries like Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Italy and Poland.

Currently, US citizens can travel to Europe for up to 90 days without a visa.

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WNU Editor: The Americans are not the only ones being targeted .... ETIAS Visa for Canadians. So why the visas? The usual reasons. Illegal immigration, screening out threats, extra money for the EU coffers.

President Trump Wants Europe To Pay More For Hosting U.S. Troops

U.S. President Donald Trump attends a working dinner meeting at the NATO headquarters during a NATO summit of heads of state and government in Brussels, Belgium, May 25, 2017. Matt Dunham/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Bloomberg: Trump Seeks Huge Premium From Allies Hosting U.S. Troops

* ‘Cost Plus 50’ plan could worsen tensions with key allies
* Frustration over spending by NATO countries behind proposal

For years, President Donald Trump has complained that countries hosting American troops aren’t paying enough. Now he wants to get even, and then some.

Under White House direction, the administration is drawing up demands that Germany, Japan and eventually any other country hosting U.S. troops pay the full price of American soldiers deployed on their soil -- plus 50 percent or more for the privilege of hosting them, according to a dozen administration officials and people briefed on the matter.

In some cases, nations hosting American forces could be asked to pay five to six times as much as they do now under the “Cost Plus 50” formula.

Trump has championed the idea for months. His insistence on it almost derailed recent talks with South Korea over the status of 28,000 U.S. troops in the country when he overruled his negotiators with a note to National Security Adviser John Bolton saying, “We want cost plus 50.”

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Update: US looks to get more cash from allies that host its troops (AP)

WNU Editor: This is not going to go over well.

U.S. Vice President Pence Criticizes U.S. Allies On Iran And Venezuela In Munich Speech

VOA: Pence Rebukes Europe Over Iran, Venezuela, Russia Links

MUNICH — U.S. Vice President Mike Pence strongly criticized European allies Saturday for their stance on Iran and Venezuela, in a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

"The time has come for our European partners to stop undermining U.S. sanctions against this murderous, revolutionary regime. The time has come for our European partners to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal," Pence told delegates.

He also called on allies to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate president of Venezuela. More than 20 European states have done so, but the European Union has stopped short of fully recognizing Guaido as president. Disputed president Nicholas Maduro is widely accused of vote-rigging to win last years' election, while the country is mired in poverty and hyperinflation.

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More News On U.S. Vice President Pence Criticizing U.S. Allies On Iran And Venezuela In Munich Speech

Pence renews criticism of U.S. allies, urging action on Iran and Venezuela in Munich speech -- NBC
Pence chastises EU, rejects Merkel's call to work with Russia -- Reuters
Pence calls on European allies to withdraw from Iran deal as Merkel defends decision -- CNN
US VP Mike Pence takes aim at European allies over Iran deal -- DW
Pence urges EU to recognize Guaido as Venezuela president -- Arab News/AFP
In Munich, Pence doubles down on criticism of Europe over Iran nuclear deal, urges removal of Maduro -- FOX News
Pence met with silence after mentioning Trump in Munich speech -- The Hill

The U.S. Army Is Out-Gunned In Europe

U.S. military vehicles parading near Russia's border in Narva, Estonia on Feb. 24. (Estonian Defense Forces)

David Axe, National Interest: Bad News: The U.S. Army Is Out-Gunned In Europe (Compared to Russia)

In 2016 RAND war-gamed a Russian invasion of the Baltics. In RAND's scenario, the Russian forces quickly overrun lightly-armed NATO forces. The Western alliance quickly deploys helicopters and air-mobile troops to confront the Russian advance. But NATO tanks are too slow to arrive.

A four-person vehicle crew with the U.S. Army's 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Europe won a personal victory in early February 2019 when they beat out other crews to claim their squadron's "top gun" prize.

But the crew's achievement underscores an uncomfortable fact for the U.S. Army as it struggles to match Russia's own military build-up in Europe.

The crew of the M1134 Anti-Tank Guided Missile Stryker operates the heaviest fighting vehicle that the U.S. Army permanently keeps on the continent. Meanwhile Russia has grown and upgraded its own forces along the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

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WNU Editor: The U.S. Army currently has around 26,000 soldiers scattered throughout Europe (Wikipedia). So yes ... they are more than just outgunned. They are not a factor at all.

President Trump Is Unconcerned That Europeans Are Unhappy With Him

DW: Donald Trump pleased Europeans are unhappy with him

US President Donald Trump said if he were popular in Europe, he would not be doing his job. Trump touted the "tremendous service" the US provides European nations, for which they should respect the US.

In his first Cabinet meeting of 2019, US President Donald Trump reflected on his lack of popularity in Europe. The president told reporters on Wednesday that he was unfazed by low approval ratings among Europeans, saying it was his job to demand that Europe treat the US more fairly.

"That's why I got elected," Trump said, reiterating that European countries must be pushed to increase their share of defense spending, a point he has made repeatedly when talking about NATO funding and defense and security in Europe.

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WNU Editor: The above DW article is only focused on Europeans being unhappy with President Trump. But it neglects to point out that even more Europeans are unhappy with their own leaders, and that they are polling at numbers that are far lower than President Trump's.

President Trump: EU And The U.S. Have Agreed To Resolve Trade Issues

Wall Street Journal: Donald Trump Says U.S. and EU Will ‘Resolve’ Steel, Aluminum Tariffs

President declares ‘new phase’ in U.S.-EU relations.

President Trump on Wednesday declared a “new phase” in the relationship between the U.S. and the European Union, agreeing to hold off on proposed car tariffs and work with the EU to resolve their dispute over metals duties, while also promoting bilateral trade.

Speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House alongside European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Mr. Trump said the U.S. and the EU had agreed to “work together toward zero tariffs, zero non-tariff barriers and zero subsidies on non auto-industrial goods.”

“This was a very big day for free and fair trade,” Mr. Trump said. He said the U.S. and EU would “resolve” the steel and aluminum tariffs he imposed earlier this year and the retaliatory tariffs the EU imposed in response.

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WNU Editor: If true, this is a huge win for the U.S. President. I am also surprised that the EU's resistance to President Trump's demands were mild .... from what I am reading they made some major concessions.

More News On President Trump Announcing That The EU And The U.S. Have Agreed To Resolve Their Trade Issues

US and EU reach deal to calm trade war fears – business live (The Guardian)
The Latest: EU Commission leader hails deal with Trump -- AP
Trump, European Union leaders announce path forward on trade -- AP
Trump says agreed with EU to work to lower trade barriers -- Reuters
Trump announces trade concessions from EU officials on soybeans, energy, tariffs (FOX News)
Trump Today: President hails ‘big day’ for free trade as he strikes tentative pact with EU chief -- Market Watch
We Have A Deal: Trump And Juncker Agree To Avert A Trade War -- Zero Hedge

President Trump: European Union Is A Foe On Trade

BBC: Donald Trump: European Union is a foe on trade

US President Donald Trump has described the European Union as a foe on trade.

He told CBS News that European countries were taking advantage of the US and not paying their Nato bills.

EU Council President Donald Tusk said anyone calling the EU foes was spreading "fake news".

Mr Trump said he had "low expectations" for his meeting on Monday with Russia's Vladimir Putin, which comes after 12 Russians were indicted for alleged hacking during 2016 US elections.

Mr Trump said he would raise this issue with Mr Putin at the summit in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and "maybe some good" would come of it.

Russia denies the allegations.

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Update #1: Trump calls European Union a 'foe' – ahead of Russia and China (The Guardian)
Update #2: Trump casts European Union as a 'foe' on trade ahead of high stakes summit with Putin (CNBC/Reuters)

WNU Editor: In my opinion the European Union after China and Japan has some of the most restrictive trade barriers in the world. The EU is a definite foe when it comes to free markets and opening up trade, especially in regards to agricultural products.

President of the European Council Donald Tusk: EU Must 'Prepare For Worst-Case Scenarios' Under Trump,

President Trump walks with the President of the European Council Donald Tusk in Brussels, Belgium. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

The Guardian: EU must 'prepare for worst-case scenarios' under Trump, top official warns

Senior officials concerned about the future under a new American doctrine in which there are ‘no friends, only enemies’

Donald Trump has been accused by the European Union of pioneering a new American doctrine in which there are “no friends, only enemies”.

Ahead of what is set to be a stormy Nato summit next week – and with EU leaders gathering in Brussels to discuss a developing transatlantic trade war among other issues – the bloc’s most senior officials expressed deep anxiety about the future.

The European Council’s president, Donald Tusk, said the EU had to now prepare for the worst due to the policies of Trump’s White House. Tusk is planning to engage in a discussion with the leaders of the 28 member states on Thursday.

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WNU Editor:  I suggest the opposite .... be prepared for worst-case scenarios under people like Donald Tusk.

More News On President of the European Council Donald Tusk's Comments That The EU Must 'Prepare For Worst-Case Scenarios' Under Trump

EU chief says Europe must prepare for the worst with Trump -- AP
Tusk warns EU of ‘worst-case scenarios’ due to Trump -- Politico
EU must plan for 'worst case scenarios' with Trump's US, warns Donald Tusk -- The Independent

US Air Force Is Building Up Bases In Russia’s Backyard

Members of the Massachusetts Air National Guard load equipment onto a C-17 that departed Barnes Air National Guard Base headed for Leeuwarden Air Base, Netherlands, as part of a theater security package. (Tech. Sgt. Lindsey Sarah Watson-Kirwin/U.S. Air National Guard)

Defense News: Poking the bear: US Air Force builds in Russia’s backyard

WASHINGTON — As the U.S. Defense Department expands its presence in Europe, the Air Force has quietly ramped up investments that would enable it to deploy to allied bases in Eastern Europe and operate close to Russia’s western flank.

The Trump administration wants to spend $828 million in 2019 to build up military infrastructure in Europe as part of an ongoing initiative to deter Russian aggression and reinforce allies. Almost half of that construction funding would go toward U.S. Air Force projects.

The request would more than double military construction funding under the European Deterrence Initiative, or EDI, from the 2018 request — when not so long ago, the U.S. military was shrinking its Cold War-era footprint in Europe.

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WNU Editor: All that I can say is "do not poke the bear".