We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2017
Washington Times: Trump pushes back on Merkel regarding trade, NATO: ‘Very bad for U.S.’
President Trump responded Monday to German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s assertion that the European Union would have to “take our destiny into our own hands” and not rely on the U.S. or the U.K.
“We have a MASSIVE trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay FAR LESS than they should on NATO & military. Very bad for U.S. This will change,” Mr. Trump tweeted.
Ms. Merkel made her comments one day after meeting with Mr. Trump and other world leaders at the Group of Seven summit in Sicily.
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WNU Editor: President Trump is very focused .... trade imbalances and NATO commitments .... two positions that German Chancellor Merkel has clearly signalled that she has no interest in changing. The German foreign minister has already responded to President Trump's tweets by warning European states that if they do not follow Germany's lead, they are then complicit with President Trump ..... German Foreign Minister: Europe Mustn't Comply with Trump's Policies (Newsweek). More from the German foreign minister here .... Germany's Foreign Minister Gabriel slams Trump for 'lecturing' (DW).
I know that the progressive left, the never Trumpers and the neocons, and the U.S. media are blaming all of this on President Trump .... but the growing sentiment in Europe is that the ones who are screwing up the alliance is Germany and Chancellor Merkel's policies. As to what is my take .... German Chancellor is going to use this dispute to push her German nationalist view point on what Europe should be .... thereby not only guaranteeing her election victory later this year, but also giving her the mandate and justification to propel Germany as the defacto leader of Europe. There is going to be a lot of blow-back against this from European states .... I am just surprised that she is this confident that her vision on what Europe should be .... and where the U.S. fits into it .... will be successful.
On another note .... many in the Western press are saying that this is fulfilling Russian President Putin's dream of a fractured NATO. I completely disagree. The last thing that Russia wants .... from Putin down to the Russian pensioner who lives in her small apartment .... is a Europe dominated by Germany. World War Two is not a footnote in history for Russians .... the memories are very deep and personal in Russia on what the Germans did. I know that my father .... with his decades of experience in dealing with Germany .... if was alive today .... would be going ballistic on what the German Chancellor is trying to do.
More News On President Trump Responding To German Chancellor Merkel's Remarks On The Alliance
Donald Trump hits back at Angela Merkel with ominous warning for Germany -- The Independent
Trump responds to Merkel criticism with furious tweet saying Germany does not pay its way -- The Telegraph
Trump rips Germany in early morning tweet -- The Hill
Trump: Our relationship with Germany is 'very bad for U.S.' -- Politico