Thread: Trump blasts NATO allies, says Germany is 'a captive of Russia'

Trump blasts NATO allies, says Germany is 'a captive of Russia'

by Jonathan Allen / Jul.11.2018 / 4:14 AM ET / Updated 4:23 AM ET
Jul.11.2018 02:27

BRUSSELS — President Donald Trump targeted Germany on Wednesday in reiterating his demand that NATO countries step up their defense spending so that they shoulder a greater share of the burden in protecting Europe from Russia.

Trump said it is not fair to American taxpayers that Germany buys oil and gas from Russia while enjoying the umbrella of defense provided by U.S. dollars.

"Germany is a captive of Russia," he said, pointing out that the country pays "billions and billions of dollars" to a Russia for energy.

Trump said he believed that was "inappropriate."

He added: "Germany is a rich country."

Even before the pomp-filled welcoming ceremony of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization meeting here, Trump made clear in a brief exchange with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that he has no intention of easing pressure on alliance nations just because Europe is nervous that tensions could empower Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom Trump is scheduled to meet Monday in Helsinki.

Stoltenberg tried to temper what Trump was saying.

“We have all been able to unite around our core values, that we are all stronger together than apart,” he said.

Trump pushed back.

“How can you be stronger when a country is getting energy from the person you want to protect against?” the president asked.

“Because we understand when we stand together we are stronger,” Stoltenberg explained.

Trump replied: "No, you are just making Russia richer."

Earlier, Trump said that he had "great confidence" in Stoltenberg, and gave him credit for working to deal with the "unfair burden" he said was being footed by the U.S.

The line of argument is nothing new for Trump: it's been his most consistent criticism of traditional American allies and one that he made both at a campaign rally in Montana last week and in Washington just before he departed for a weeklong trip to Europe.

But the message may land a differently — a little more directly — now that he is in Brussels and meeting face-to-face with the leaders of NATO nations.

His ambassador to NATO, former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, said last week that the goal of the summit is to project unity. But Trump's demands threaten that outcome.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/t...russia-n890471

Exactly. It's all faux foe on Russia to bleed the US into defending Europe. Trump is exactly right and he told them straight up. You guys are out there buying oil and gas from your evil enemy Russia paying them billions and billion of dollars while asking poor Americans to underwrite your "protection" against the enemy you've helped to enrich.

BS on that.

Way to go Trump.

Bring half our troops home!

They can recruit their own people to defend their country!

WE ARE NOT THE ATM MACHINE OR DUMPING GROUND FOR THE WORLD.

Not defending Germany or Russia, but perhaps it's less expensive to buy from Russia? Trump, being a businessman, should be able to understand that.

He's talking about the new pipeline deal between Germany and Russia that when it's built under the Baltic Sea and piped into Germany, Germany's commitment to Russia on this deal will mean 60 to 70% of Germany's natural gas will be supplied by Russia, a supply line that Russia could cut off at any time they wanted. Trump is saying you trust Russia enough to rely on 70% of an important natural resource like natural gas yet you claim you need expensive military protection from the United States against them?

Trump wants Germany and other EU and NATO countries to buy more natural gas and other products from the United States to balance the trade deficit. Trump wants Germany and others to immediately meet their obligations in defense spending to comply with their NATO obligation so we can spend less defending them. We will continue to spend big on defense for obvious reasons, but where we allocate that spending makes a big difference to US. Wasting resources in Europe against Russia when they're all big happy trading partners and best business friends makes no sense. We'll always support Europe and be there when or if we're ever needed, but this annual drain on our coffers defending Europe against their fake "foe" that isn't a foe at all, is stupid.

Donald J. Trump 2 minutes ago
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The U.S. is paying for Europe’s protection, then loses billions on Trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?...Ctwgr%5Eauthor

NATO pledges to boost defense spending after stern words from Trump

By Brooke Singman | Fox News
1 hour ago

NATO leaders pledged their “unwavering commitment” to boost defense spending on Wednesday, following stern words from President Trump criticizing European leaders for spending too little.

The U.S. and European allies signed a declaration stating they are “committed to improving the balance of sharing the costs and responsibilities of alliance membership.”

The declaration comes after confrontational and testy discussions between Trump and other NATO leaders.

Since the election, Trump has criticized NATO countries for not paying their fair share, while suggesting he would only come to the defense of NATO nations that fulfilled their financial obligation.

Trump also has pressed NATO countries to fulfill their goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic products on defense by 2024. NATO estimates that 15 members, or just over half, will meet that benchmark based on current trends.

As NATO vows to pursue those targets, Trump is seeking even more.

In a statement Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Trump, at the summit, "suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2 percent of their GDP on defense spending, but that they increase it to 4 percent. Trump wants to see our allies share more of the burden and at a very minimum meet their already stated obligations."

Before sitting down for the first official meeting of the day, the president engaged in a testy exchange with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He pressed why the U.S. should continue to pay money to the military alliance while the countries purchase energy from Moscow.

“We are stronger together,” Stoltenberg said, while acknowledging there can be differences among allies.

“But how can you be together when you’re getting energy from the group you want protection from?” Trump responded, using Germany as an example. Trump challenged Stoltenberg to explain why Berlin was getting energy from Russia, and asserted that Germany was “totally controlled” by and “captive to Russia” over a pipeline project.

That pipeline project, Nord Stream 2 pipeline, doubles the amount of gas Russia can send directly to Germany, while sidestepping transit countries like Ukraine. The project is opposed by the U.S. and some European Union members.

“We’re supposed to protect you against Russia and yet you make this deal with Russia,” Trump said of Germany. “Explain that. It can’t be explained.”

Former Secretary of State John Kerry later blasted Trump’s comments about Germany as “strange” and “counterproductive.”

“It was disgraceful, destructive, and flies in the face of the actual interests of the United States of America,” Kerry said in a statement, claiming Trump “set America back this morning.”

“He is steadily destroying our reputation in the world,” Kerry said, adding that Trump displayed a “woeful ignorance” of European defense spending.

Anticipation has built for weeks over how confrontational the meeting might be, given the U.S. president's complaints about trade and NATO allies' military budgets -- and how the summit might compare with Trump's scheduled meeting in Finland with Russia's Vladimir Putin.

That meeting has riled Democrats in Washington amid the probe over Russian meddling in the election. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted Wednesday, "President Trump should not meet with President Putin alone."

The summit in Brussels is the first stop on Trump’s four-country European tour where tensions already have risen over tariffs and the potential trade war between the European Union and the U.S. Trump implemented tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports, and the EU is pushing to retaliate.

The president met first with French President Emmanuel Macron, who said the U.S. and France "will continue to work together." Trump said they discussed their "tremendous relationship," and talked about trade.

Trump also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The president told reporters they discussed military spending and trade, and touted their "good relationship."

The next stop on the president’s tour will be Britain, amid a tumultuous climate for Prime Minister Theresa May. May’s government is in turmoil over her plans for exiting the European Union.

This week, U.K. Foreign Minister Boris Johnson stunningly resigned amid the growing backlash over May and her handling of Britain’s departure from the EU. Johnson resigned less than 24 hours after Brexit Secretary David Davis and junior Brexit minister Steve Baker left their posts in protest of how the government is handling Brexit.

Trump suggested Tuesday that he may meet with Johnson when he gets over there. Trump, who has been vocal in his support of Brexit, is slated to meet with May on Friday.

Trump’s tour will continue with a stop in Scotland over the weekend, then conclude with his final stop in Helsinki, Finland on Monday for his highly anticipated summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trump suggested that his meeting with Putin could be the “easiest” stop on the European tour, after confrontational talks with NATO and EU leaders.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018...ls-summit.html

Former Secretary of State John Kerry later blasted Trump’s comments about Germany as “strange” and “counterproductive.”

“It was disgraceful, destructive, and flies in the face of the actual interests of the United States of America,” Kerry said in a statement, claiming Trump “set America back this morning.”

“He is steadily destroying our reputation in the world,” Kerry said, adding that Trump displayed a “woeful ignorance” of European defense spending.

Kerry is such an idiot.

I thought Trump was great! The long faces around the table was amusing to watch.

Bring 50% of our troops home and show NATO we mean business.

That also means our troops will NOT be spending their paychecks in their country in THEIR economy.

Bring them home to spend their money on OUR soil.

They can recruit their own citizens and pay up to defend themselves.

Put those troops coming back on Federal Land on the border to do training exercises with tanks and equipment and help ICE and border patrol catch the drugs and illegal aliens!

They can also bulldoze the brush and clear out the hiding places they stash the drugs and illegals.

GET THE WALL BUILT!