German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump before talks at the G7 summit in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, May 26, 2017. Guido Bergmann/Courtesy of Bundesregierung/Handout via REUTERS
Danny Vinik, Politico: Trump's right about Germany
His diagnosis is imprecise but Merkel's economic policies really are hurting the U.S.
President Donald Trump had harsh words for Germany at a NATO meeting in Belgium this week, where he reportedly referred to the Germans as “bad, very bad.” Gary Cohn, the president’s top economic adviser, later clarified that Trump was referring to Germany’s trade practices.
The criticism of a close U.S. ally at a typically pre-programmed diplomatic conference raised eyebrows across Europe, as world leaders sought to understand the new, unpredictable American president. But to many economists, such criticism was long overdue. They believe Germany’s economic policies really have hurt global economic growth, especially in Europe whose recovery from the 2008 financial crisis has been very slow — much slower than in the United States.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 30, 2017
Trump's Right: Germany's Trade Surplus Is Too Big -- Justin Fox, Bloomberg
Trump's European Misadventure -- Bloomberg editorial
Angela Merkel shows how the leader of the free world should act -- Suzanne Moore, The Guardian
A Trans-Atlantic Turning Point: What Was Merkel Thinking? -- Spiegel Online
How the world reacted to Merkel's pivot to Europe -- Lewis Sanders IV, DW
In standing up to Trump, Europe gets its mojo back -- Peter Apps, Reuters
The Manchester Attack and the Death of Europe -- Michael Brendan Dougherty, NRO
What Happens After ISIS Goes Underground -- Colin P. Clarke & Chad C. Serena, National Interest
Turkey making itself at home in Syria -- Fehim Tastekin, Al-Monitor
Can Cambodia Make Electoral History This Week? -- Rachael Burton, RCW
Canada's new opposition leader: Andrew Scheer’s best weapon: He’s relatable -- Margaret Wente, The Globe and Mail
The cheery new leader of Canada’s Conservatives -- The Economist
Venezuela: a divided country -- Nastassja Shtrauchler, DW
The Death of Manuel Noriega—and U.S Intervention in Latin America -- David Graham, The Atlantic
Tiger Woods is at his lowest ebb – his unravelling is no reason to revel -- Ewan Murray, The Guardian