The excellent Suddeutche Zeitung has a comprehensive break down of the financial and personnel contributions ofall Nato members to each aspect of Nato operations currently. It's easy to digest even if you are not a German speaker. In many cases the United States is not in the dominant percentage of persons serving or monetary contributions. It's worth googling. http://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/nato-gipfel-geld-fuer-die-verteidigun...
And Merkel simply and strongly responds to Trump by signalling to fellow Europeans what is commonly understood about living under Soviet threat. They lived it and her comments speak to European and German experience. Trumps comment is just more Freudian slip about his own inability to deal with his intellectual inadequacy.
1
This article, shockingly, suggests that only 9% of German energy comes from Russia. It ignores the Times own fact check article on the question!
According to the Times German today (before the Nord Stream 2 gas line) German obtains nearly 50% of its gas from Russia, and approximately 40% of its oil and 30% of its coal as well. If that doesn’t expose Germany to Russian political pressure in the long run, what would? Remember the oil crisis in 1973? The US imported only about 25% of its oil at the time and we were crippled by the Arab Oil Embargo.
The Germans deliberately did the Nord Stream 2 deal knowing full well it means Russia can then cut off gas in the winter to Poland and Ukraine.
The Germans deserve every lashing we can give them. And their failure to meet the 2% of GDP defense spending target formally reconfirmed by them in 2014? Outrageous. The Germans love to be free riders and then get on moral high horses. Let them defend themselves.
Trump uses his only tool, bullying others, but others are increasingly resisting his demands. If you have only one tool you double down on it. That doesn't work, just as a hammer is not a screwdriver.
1
It looks like Thanksgiving with the awful uncle. At least their misery was short. We, on the other hand, wait for deliverance in November.
3
I think the NYTimes cares only about attacking Trump. Nothing about Germany, Merkle, France, the US, or anything else. Why not let a meeting go on, let those at the meeting discuss what they are thinking? Stop implying that 'Merkle is reluctant to...' or Trump 'clearly launching a planned attack.' What about a bit, just a bit, of letting the meeting go on without the blow by blow that could change in a minute. Shame on the NYTimes and it's efforts to create divide; to report on divide whether it exists or not. This paper has become almost traitorous in its hatred for Trump. I say this not as a Trump supporter (am not), but as an American citizen who understands that these are tough, and delicate, times. You NEVER did this when Obama was president. Ever.
1
The NYT’s characterization of Angela Merkel as some kind of a wimp for not engaging in a shouting match with Trump is unfortunate, if not naïve.
His continuous belligerence towards her is proof enough that she has managed to get under his skin in a way that nobody has dared to do.
As for her “weakened” position (another indication of a limited understanding of German politics), be assured that she has her country’s full support in her standing up to Trump in a way that he cannot deal with. His torrent of insults directed at her and her country is living proof of his and America’s insecurity, not hers or that of Germany.
1
One of course expects in the Times a loaded headline that makes it appear as if Trump is a bully while Merkel is a simpering lady. The reality however is that Trump is right and Merkel is wrong. Germany is long overdue for a proper spanking being, as you indicate, Europe’s strongest country (but only economically) while totally unprepared militarily. As such it is not America’s partner in NATO, but America’s dependent and should show some humility and respect. Uncle Sam is finally putting his foot down and telling the would-be dominatrix of Europe that the time has come to pay up.
As for Heiko Maas, Germany’s Foreign Minister, he is at least half right when he says “We are no captives — neither of Russia nor of the United States.” While Germany is indeed hostage to Russia and scared witless of possible Russian aggression, it has become to comfortable with having America as it’s sugar daddy and protector.
And now the situation becomes even more complicated as even America cannot protect Germany from an enemy it has imported which will (if only demographically), destroy it from within.
1
It may be time now that Germany finally stops financing purely US run bases on her territory with a billion Euro per year. It may also be time to bring down those massive numbers of US army personal and arms 73 yrs after the end of WW2 and rid the country of nuclear weaponry.
The idea of 'protection' for money may work where the biggest crook owns the most hardware. Please - don't 'protect' us any longer.
And PLEASE !!! deliver us from this reality tv phoney pronto and with a bang !
2
I suggest that the NATO allies give their troops a big pay raise to boost their expenses and call it a day. Much of the new money given to the troops will be recycled & taxed in their homelands.
An alternative is for the USA to cut their military budget by 1/3 and give their citizens universal health care like ALL other (rational) developed nations. Repealing Trump`s $800 billion tax cut for the 1% will help the USA from avoiding another Trump bankruptcy.
2
BRAVO for standing up for the US. Why should we pay to protect them?
1
Trump's sexism and basic hatred of self-differentiated, non-male-identified women spews forth in his dealing with Chancellor Merkel and simply demonstrates once again his massive insecurity. He is a living and walking example of projection.
4
US Generals George Patton and Curtis LeMay did not want WW II to end until their forces had driven across Asia all the way to Kamchatka. The dream that the US can conquer the whole world lives on.
"He has made crystal-clear that he doesn’t see the collective defense of Europe as worthwhile in its own right. But this collective defense is the point of European defense spending, so more defense spending cannot appease him because he does not value its results."
“If the Europeans parked a brand-new aircraft carrier off the coast of Mar-a-Lago and tossed the keys onto the 18th green, Trump would simply charge them greens fees,” Jeremy Shapiro, the research director of the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote this week. “In the end, he doesn’t believe in the idea that America should defend Europe, so why should the United States pay anything at all? He is only interested in it if it brings in a profit.”
https://static.nytimes.com/email-content/INT_3779.html?nlid=68763232
There is trade and there are buyers. Germany is not "sending cars" to America, Americans are buying German cars. The unuseful idiot wants to use tariffs to change american preferences and choices. Where is the Republican in that?
China is not forcing iPhones on Americans, we are buying them. They could have been assembled on Mars for all I care.
4
One could argue that if NATO countries paid more for defense that the US would pay less and therefore have more budget funds to put toward social programs now in danger of being cut. But I would be fearful that any excess funds anywhere would only go to further tax cuts for the richer population in the US.
3
Trump is right about the European countries, not all, but most. They are disingenuous at best, and corrupt at worse.
Many Europeans expect the United States to protect them from their enemies, which is fine, but they also expect the U.S. to pay for the cost of the this defense; which is not fine, but something the U.S. has been willing to do to make the entire world safer by keeping Europe safe.
But these European leaders like Merkel and Macron really cross the line when they invite migrants from enemy countries to come live in Germany and France. Italy has changed its policy, but it may be too late.
Inviting terrorists posing as migrants into your country is suicide, but when you ask the United States to pay for your defense, it is insanity.
The money spent on defense of Europe is good for the European economy, and that is the real untold story. If the European leaders were really concerned about the safety of their own citizens, they would not keep their borders open.
The media only reports some of the rapes and murders happening every day in Germany, France, Swedes and other countries which have invited migrants into their country to rape and nursed their citizens. And these rapes and murders happen while the leaders like Merkel and Macron are protected by individual security details so they are free from harm.
The dichotomy between Merkel and Macron expecting the U.S. to pay for their defense, then doing everything to make their citizens unsafe is crazy.
2
Told the truth. Germany is now captive to Russia. To bad they didnt learn their lesson in the 80's when they watched Russia shut off gas and oil supplies to their neighbors. especially in winter. Also right on them and the rest of NATO paying their fair share
2
Trump claims Germany brings in 70% or more of its energy from Russia while the last paragraph of your article says it actually gets about 9%.
I would say that this deserves a story on its own but of course I am sure we are in the dog bites man situation when it comes to Trump's lying. We as a nation are in great danger with this halfwit playing president.
4
Part of the lede info appears to be at the article's end, and part does not appear to be included in this article. Specifically, it would be helpful to see up-front info on (a) how our President's statements compare with facts and (b) how much his business interests and those of his associates stand to benefit from what he's doing. He is brilliant, and although I could be wrong, it seems to me his actions might make perfect sense when viewed from the standpoint of personal/family finances and power consolidation, were said business interests to be public. Perhaps this is or will be covered in a separate Times article?
Trump's tax cut give-a-way to corporate America, has already cost us a trillion dollars.
Trump is on a desperate hunt for more money to fill our empty coffers before the economy starts to go south on us.
Trump's verbal attacks on NATO go way back, long before he considered running for the Presidency, as do his relations with Russian oligarchs. Isn't it odd that a New York businessman would have such a strong concern with NATO. The Russian grooming of Trump has gone exceedingly well.
4
If indeed Republicans are as upset at Trump as they claim, despite the refusal to verbalize it, why are they tolerating his disgraceful behavior? Why are they standing by while he discusses the United States in front of the entire world, alienating our friends and embracing our adversaries? In fact, why are they tolerating his presidency which is reversing every positive about this country in modern times? At least until the end of the year, assuming an appropriate outcome in November, Republicans have the ability to put the brakes on this insane juggernaut. I do not question Trump's ability to rabble-rouse, but I seriously question the logic and sanity of his positions. God save America and the world from this mis-leader.
1
If Trump recognizes Russia's annexation of the Crimea when he meets with Putin, my instinct is it could be a tipping point among his Congressional Republican bulkhead and in American public opinion.
2
Trump's tax cut give-a-way to corporate America, has already cost us a trillion dollars.
Trump is on a desperate hunt for more money to fill our empty coffers before the economy starts to go south on us.
Speaking of Russia, there is more than enough suspicion that Trump is - at the very least - beholden to if not directly under the thumb of some combination of Russia, Putin, Russian banks or Russian oligarchs. Before committing to any increase in military spending, I think the other members of NATO should do their due diligence and insist that Trump prove his independence from any and all Russian influence by releasing the last ten years of his personal and business tax filings. After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
3
Trump chose to pick a fight about the threat of Russia to Europe with the one person in the room who knows exactly what it is like to live under Soviet rule. It is clear Trump does no prep work before shooting off his mouth with fake facts. I appreciate how composed Merkel was while putting Trump in his place.
Trump continued the fake fact tantrum by claiming he is the only one responsible for making Europe pony up more money. It was Obama who first demanded and secured an agreement in 2014 that by 2024 NATO member countries would pay 2% of their GDP for defense, the same amount the United States, the United Kingdom, and a few other NATO countries already do.
Why is Trump insisting these countries need to pay us? He sounds like a enforcer for the mob while attempting to bully our Allies into submission. Forget Teddy Roosevelt’s “speak softly and carry a big stick”, Trump’s motto is “bully loudly and bludgeon them over the head with the stick”.
1
Europe must stop feeding the beast. Shun trump, demean trump, refuse his handshake. Soon the beast will be gone and America will return to repair the damage done by the beast.
3
Surely it works both ways? Russia needs the foreign exchange it gets from Germany as much as Germany needs the gas. Possibly more. This is very much mutual dependence.
Germany has an efficient renewable energy sector, and a wide, profitable and impressive industrial base. Russia on the other hand has an economy still based to a large extent on selling raw materials - like gas. Russia needs customers like Germany to help keep its economy afloat. If Germany really only gets 9% of its energy needs from Russia, (not 70%) then it's Russia that should be worried, not Germany or the US.
1
The sentence "But the more Mr. Trump attacks Germany, the less its people feel like appeasing him on military spending or with trade concessions." is a concise summary of everything that is wrong with Trump's foreign "policy". (It's hard to dignify his ramblings, musings, and non sequiturs with the name "policy".)
He has a problem with China's manipulating trade and stealing intellectual property? So do the Europeans; but rather than team up with them (and Canada, Australia and Japan), he goes out of his way to insult them, allowing China to deal with its adversaries piecemeal, where each is weaker than a united whole. But such subtleties are lost on Trump, making it less likely he will achieve his goals.
6
I may not always agree with Angela Merkel, but she is a marvel of stoicism and patience. If it had been me, I would have hauled off and walloped Trump the first time he opened his mouth. Can we bring her here to be president??
6
John Brennan has it right. Someone, anyone in the EU/NATO hierarchy has got to tell Trump what is truly on the minds of the vast majority of European leaders. It is painfully obvious that Europe has to tell him "NO." Otherwise, this bull-in-a-china shop will continue to lie us into a dangerous place.
4
The last thing we want is a buildup of the German military. In the past, their excellent science and sense of superiority almost destroyed Europe. Trump's statements almost sound like "Bring it on."
Why does the article not mention Trump's dislike of Mrs. Merkel because her government shared intelligence between Trump/ German banks & Putin's acolytes - during the presidential campaign? This is key to understanding Trump's fulminating attack on Germany/ the Chancellor & NATO.
2
9% is how much electricity is generated from the gas imports
3
These people don't care about any of that, or any of us.
Don't let facts get in the way of the outrage.
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. NATO nations should meet their obligations of 2% GDP, as Obama noted during his Presidency. And it only makes sense to ask the question: If Russia is so dangerous that we need NATO and US military bases in Germany then how can it be simultaneously true that it's safe for Germany to be energy dependent on Russia?
Regarding our strained relationship with Germany, I recall that time a few years back when the US was caught bugging Merkel's cell phone. I also recall the real reason the US has a military base in Germany (it's not to protect them from Russians....) I think it's safe to say that relations between the US and Germany have been strained for, oh, maybe 90 years or so. Give or take a few here and there.
2
When Trump is accused of X Y or Z, besides his rage, insult and spittle, he accuses his accusers of the same thing.
His fake news--lies etc--is countered with "fake news." And so it seems to be all fake.
His immigrant oppression is blamed on Democrats--and what isn't blamed on Obama.
And so his reply to the accusations that he is a Russian agent/asset--Putin is his handler--he bellows that Germany is the Russian asset--in Putin pocket. (see -http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/07/trump-putin-russia-collusio... )
But we wonder how indebted Merkel is to Russians. How indebted is Trump?
4
An easy way for Germany to increase its military budget as a percentage of GDP would be to funnel a lot of its scientific research money through the military, like the U.S. does. The U.S. funds a lot of scientific research via the military (ONR, AFOSR, IARPA, etc). Germany spends about 2.9% of its GDP on scientific research. By funneling more of this money through the military, they could increase their military spending from 1.2% of GDP to up to 4.1% of GDP.
3
Dont be silly. The stable genius would immediately see the redirection of these funds and analyze the impact to the bottom line and take all appropriate action necessary to increase tariffs, diplomatic action, and many other exercises that the master negotiator could bring to bear. Dont forget that many mercedes and bmw cars are made in plants located in the US. Trump could shut them down in a heartbeat. That would show them as he stands there with his freshly severed nose in his hands wondering how that happened.
2
Everyone is aware of trumps penchant for vengeance but it absolutely disgusts me to watch a room full of world leaders allow this disgusting bully to lecture them like they are children. No one wants to see the rest of the world stoop this buffoons level but show some spine for crying out loud. trump does not give one iota about America and patriotism. He just loves the camera. He creates the chaos in order to play the big man.
5
This article is leads with another example of The New York Times's biased, anti-Trump reporting.
This was no blistering attack by Trump. It was simply his assertion that Germany is beholden to Russia through Germany's purchase of much of its petroleum from Russian sources.
IMHO, his assertion is correct.
As for Merkel's polite rejoinder, played up by this newspaper, that again is designed to make Trump look bad.
Merkel looks bad after having permitted over a million Middle Eastern refugees to enter Germany, where as with the Turkish immigration of some sixty years ago, one price to be paid is more members of a foreign, very difficult to assimilate culture that tolerates Jihad, prefers theocracy under sharia law, and assigns lesser rights to women.
2
The Times doesn't have to do anything. Trump makes himself look bad all by himself.
1
It’s now three generations since WW2. So, many people commenting here can be forgiven for forgetting that a fundamental precept on the part of the US and its allies in the post-WW2 world order was to inhibit any single nation’s building the military engine that was pre-war Germany, and further to prevent entangling alliances and unilateralism in treaty-making. NATO is one of the Great Ideas that have brought stability and prosperity to Europe, which is not something to be jettisoned now by an ill-educated, inept American president.
5
Could we say the' NATO message 'in a nutshell that president Mr.Trump wants to ensure that one key member of NATO needn't rub on the wrong side of Mr.Putin often and the other needn't become more proximate to Russia than Mr.Trump in the name of energy deal. Will EU disappear and America decide the NATO member nations' trade and defense in future? By adding more members into NATO, EU may become
AU(American Union) and the total GDP of AU would boost the defense spending of NATO. The seeds to make America great again has been sowed on the field of NATO where Mr.Trump did a tillage in the name of "Russia fear factor" claiming that
he is the security guard of NATO members. It appears to me that Mr.Trump has had two birds with one shot.
1
"Mr. Trump has regularly criticized Germany for what he has described as the prevalence of German-made cars on American streets.."
Mercedes Benz, BMW and especially, Audi are status symbols driven by American elites. Making them more expensive will only hurt Trump's true constituency.
2
There is something missing. What do we think Putin et al are doing while #45 continues to beat his chest and destroy years of carefully crafted diplomacy. Better yet, Putin pulled it off without ever firing a shot. We better all hope someone is carefully watching #45 as he is capable of doing anything.
4
What is most astonishing to me is the lack of clear information in this piece. Why do I have to work through reader comments in conjunction with the article to fix on facts and acquire clarity? I’m afraid the Times writers are playing to the outrage and embarrassment we all feel toward our painfully unpresidential president. We should bury Trump with truth, simply and clearly-stated, again and again and again. This unromantic but essential task—not weaving a “story”—is the journalist’s job.
2
It is still a ways off, but things are going to get better.
Everyone doubted me in here when I said Marine Le Pen would lose in the second round.
But things are going to get better. Phase 1 will be in January 2019, when the Congress changes ... a lot.
Phase 2 will be in January 2021, when Trump is gone.
There will always be blazing idiots that will always say that Trump was a great President, but ... no doubt... some folks privately realized that they made a mistake. He has lost their vote.
And others have finally seen the importance of voting.
Pence will have less chance of ever being President than even good ole Dan Quayle did.
Things will get better. The mass shootings will continue, and lots of other lousy stuff too, but things will get a tad bit better.
3
I would like to know how much the US military industrial complex drives countries to buy our "products," ie weapons of mass destruction to keep the oil industry going. When the US demands NATO countries to spend more on military, that means they will buy the US products, right?
3
Trump is a liar. Germany is not "totally controlled by Russia." It get 20% of its energy from natural gas, and it gets this fuel from Netherlands, Norway and Russia. Russia is a huge customer for German imports. Germany, despite its trade, did not hesitate to impose sanctions after Russia invaded Ukraine. It's Trump, who has some bizarre subservient relationship with Putin, that is afraid to impose sanctions. It is not an impressive measure of Americans' education that they have such a confused idea of how NATO operates, not to mention swallowing the further Trump lie that after he met with NATO, everything changed.
2
If the entire world guns up, then we will all be armed to the teeth against each other. Is this the world we want to live in? Wouldn't it be easier to attack the cause of the world's troubles, poverty, war, inequality and disease that is causing world wide migration and unrest? We need fewer armaments and more food and medicines.
2
The U.S. has supported the E.U. from its beginnings as an economic community because a stable Europe has been central to U.S. foreign policy since the end of WWII. The security of Europe is best served by a strong union that can invest in making its neighboring countries more stable particularly Africa and the Middle East. President Trump's rhetoric aimed at weakening the E.U. is counter to long term U.S. policy and deserves strong criticism.
Russia's destabilizing adventurism in Ukraine took place in part because NATO did not even have a doctrine for defense against Russian aggression. Seeing no risk, Putin chose to act. Clearly, military deterrence has become a necessary investment and NATO must be strengthened by European members so Russia is no longer tempted by absence of deterrence.
If Russia is not the monoply supplier of natural gas and prices are market determined, the transactions can be good for both Russia and European customers building the economies of both.
Clearly the EU must also limit GHG emissions and eliminate use of gas from all sources in the longer term in favor of wind, solar and nuclear. Here, the E.U. may strenthen its security more by investing in solar energy projects in N. Africa than in military hardware and militarization of society. Jobs need to be created in Africa to make Europe more secure. What better way than generating solar energy in the deserts to provide Europe with electricity?
2
The law of unintended consequences is what we and Trump need to be aware of. Trump's allegiance to Russia is possibly personal, it's possibly ideological, maybe both. However, his threats to N.A.T.O. could make it stronger. A U.S. alligned with Russia will create consequences that will be hard to predict. Keep in mind that Trump most likely has little clue as to what his actions will bring. He is a dark cloud and when his time is over there is no telling what the landscape will look like when his fog has lifted. Lets focus on that and not be distracted by his antics.
3
Mr Trump always attacks others for his own greatest sins. Ms. Merkel is in the thrall of Russia, he says.
Hillary Clinton he also said is in the thrall of Russia, and ‘crooked,’ when his list of crookedness from corrupt business practices, to tax fraud, to sexual assault, to constant deception, to obstruction of justice, to suborning perjury, and on and on, is endless and growing.
Immigrants, with some of the lowest crime rates, are ‘rapists,’ whereas he admits to sexual coercion.
Whenever he attacks anyone, we should look first to him, in fact, to find what grim truth about himself he is exposing.
Whether from limited imagination (“YOU are !”) or calculated tactic, or both - even investigating the banality degrades us all.
4
Trumpism holds that everyone else is even sleazier than Trump, so preemptive sleaziness is the best defense.
3
Crass, meet Class.
Hard, I know, but try to learn from it anyway.
2
Germany's claim that it gets just 9 per cent of its energy imports from Russia appears to be as bogus as Trump's 70 per cent claim.
What I am unable to fathom is the behavior of the religious right. How can any decent person tolerate such repulsive behavior? His apologists are a peculiar group that are horrified by abortion, but remain silent about government executions. They believe God created Heaven and Earth, but they refuse to lift a finger or raise their voices to protect our country's natural treasures.
2
What happened NYT? Since last week there are now a slew of new posters writing fairly short pro -Trump, pro-Putin anti -NATO comments. I appreciate reading the views of those readers with whose opinion I differ BUT the obvious similarity in style, chosen arguments and supporting “facts” makes me doubt the legitimacy of these new posters. And now the editorial vetting process has become slow, choking the opportunity for dialogue. I am profoundly disappointed, having found the Times comment section to be a refreshingly informative and respectful platform. But sadly, I don’t have time to wade through the troll posts to get to the valuable stuff, and I expected better from the moderators especially given the well -documented campaign by the far-right to sow doubt. I am cancelling my subscription if this is addressed.
We'll show those Nato deadbeats.
Next time let's have our wars here at home, instead of in Europe.
2
Yep...a "quiet rejoinder" with zero substance - because she knows Germany has been caught doing EXACTLY what Trump is doing: looking out for his own nation's interest. The gas pipeline from Russia (which by passes Poland) is just fine as I'm concerned (Germany needs the gas now that they've shut down all their coal and nuke plants), but don't be two-faced about it. Classic Trump: transparent and eminently practical.
1
Frankly, some of the other members of NATO should be insulted for their shabby treatment of the US. People like John Kerry, who gave away billions and did not even read the verification requirements of the Iran deal have no business criticizing Trump. Trump is the president we need at this time. Can you even fathom the alternative?
1
Yes, I can, and I welcome the alternative.
Trump should not be worried about Tariffs on agriculture, countries need to eat. EU should drop 10% Tariff on cars then Trump should drop his. And Donald was elected by Putin so he is one to talk about being beholden to Putin, he probably just picking on Merkel because she knows what she doing and he doesn't.
1
I want so much for Ms Merkel to stand up to Trump and give him a good dressing down. I wonder what Trump would do if Merkel would tell Trump to take his military bases and move them out of Germany to Russia if he loves Putin so much.
Such an idiot we have for a president.
9
And given the number of businesses he bankrupted and his tax dodges, his business credentials are hardly stellar --- as a criminal, he's pretty good, though.
"Puppet! I'm no puppet! YOU'RE the puppet!" Hillary was exactly right-- the Russian Mafia Don is a captive puppet of Putin, playing his only schoolyard taunt linguistic card in response to the ever-truer Steele Dossier and the rising mountain of his close Russian ties. A new SECRET RUSSIAN LOAN OF $100 MILLION connected to his Chump Tower in Canada was just revealed TODAY.
So all our Manchurian President can do is literally point his crooked little finger at Germany, when it's so apparent now that HE'S THE PUPPET.
So what are we going to do about our White House TRAITOR?
8
Why in the world would Angela Merkel “take on” Trump? She is way smarter than to do that. Why in the world would she confront this malevolent bombastic very very stupid man? She is wise: let him keep cooking in his own juice. Her riposte to his ignorance was spot on. As the old adage goes, “Don’t argue with someone dumber than you are.”
8
Trump's insane speeches open up for russian occupation of Estonia,Latvia and Luthiania - á la Crimea.
4
If Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are not stupid enough to put missile systems in place pointed at Russia, they will be just fine.
Guess what NATO wants them to do?
Maybe she knows something we don't
1
We just heard from Pres. Macron who says that Trump lied today about an agreement that 4% is now the target goal. There is no agreement.
How can anyone trust a liar? It's an impossibility to have any alliances with a liar and that's the problem the US has given to the world.
Trump - the most hated man in the world. Are we proud, America?
10
Reading this from Germany, the headline in particular indicates no real knowledge of Ms. Merkel's usual "style". Diplomacy and behind-the-scenes are her MO. This is how she has dealt with any number of detractors, both domestic and international. She's never going to roar and bluster back at anyone a la Trump - although that is not to say that Germany and Germans will not. Right now, Germans prefer a soft power/development-focused foreign policy - due to their history, rather than any conscious desire to "use" the USA. But the way things are going, that must certainly change. Ms. Merkel and her colleagues are only too well aware of that. For more on Ms. Merkel's style, I'd also suggest this other NYT story from yesterday: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/11/world/asia/germany-china-liu-xia-liu-...
3
Experienced people will avoid frontal entanglements with certain types. Drunk with the power of the US, wielding it like a club, Trump is rampaging through decades of frustration of "why can't we just wring their necks?'.
His style is gleaned from the dual sources of watching NY street toughs and his mentor Roy Cohn. People know he is crazy, so smart ones are careful. Sooner or later, sanity will bring this animal down. Those of you in the US that are lauding his bravado are merely causing it.
6
As the vile and coarse blowhard and bloviator who calls himself "Trump" insults and deeply offends our allies—
One wishes there was an "air valve" on the back of his neck that could be opened to let him deflate.
2
Donald Trump is a bully and has no clue how to negotiate or to work with other leaders. His intent seems to be to destroy our relationships and any dignity the U.S. has in the world community. When will the Republicans in Congress figure out that he is unable to lead us toward anything positive? His attitude toward NATO is sickening. His deference toward Vladimir Putin is scary.
6
Is the NYT suggesting that it is OK that the US taxpayer continues to foot the bill to protect the EU, when we are 20 trillion in debt. The taxpayers should also continue to be happy about runnng billions in trade deficits with Germany so that we keep Merkel happy? Do you know why they can spend so little on defense and so much on education, because the American Taxpayer supports enables them to.
This oil deal is all about optics, and the NYT journalist missed the boat badly.
1
Since when has an erudite response become meek??
Does every decent human being need to stoop to the level of this idiot-in-chief?
Those of us who have lived in Europe would cringe at his behavior, for it fits into the stereotype of a loud , brash, swaggering ignorant American who only knows to flaunt his wealth and is obsessed with the biggest.. the flashiest and the crassest ...
11
He's sort of like the Manchurian Candidate for real. Except there was no need for brain-washing. For the most obvious of reasons.
3
As long as we keep reporting on every stupid thing this guy does and says, we're the captives.
4
Go Trump. Speak the truth about how the US funds all of NATO and neither Merkel nor the NYT like it one bit!
2
It is nothing short of astonishing that you still actually believe that. Do you do *any* research for yourself or do you just listen to Fox and Trump and believe everything they say because that's the way you want the world to be regardless of verifiable facts?
5
What a shocker: our blowhard, bully of a president attacks the current “leader of the free world” Angela Merkel.
He likes pageant queens....powerful women? Not so much.
9
Trump is doing to the Europeans the same thing he is doing to Congress.
For Trump, a deal is a deal. You either live up to the deals you have made or you change them.
If you don’t have the courage to change the deals or laws that are established, then you must follow the ones that are in place.
By forcing people to abide by existing agreements or laws, he is opening up the possibility to change them. If the Congress or the Europeans dislike things so much, it is up to them to change them. Otherwise quit your complaining.
2
Go home and tend the roses...you are not fooling anyone.
3
For the record - the deal is that NATO countries agreed to raise their contribution to two per cent by 2024. They are, indeed, abiding by the "existing agreement". It is Trump who is not abiding by the existing agreement by demanding immediate unilateral, non-negotiated changes.
6
Oh really? Trump lives up to his deals? Tell that to the many contractors he has stiffed. Open your eyes, Ken.
1
Any student of history would recognize that the strength of NATO should never be compromised. No responsible leader would ever address allies in this manner. We are being led to chaos by a fool and, in my opinion, a possible traitor. We can only pray that our allies will stick by us in spite of him. Just hang in there for 27 months, please. We will rise against him. You know that, if you know us.
3
Had Germany allowed Trump's very German Grandfather to return from the US /Canada to live, none of this would be happening. Germany would not allow him back as he had not done his................................military duty, so he found a wife and came back to this country.
1
So now we are going to criticize Merkle for not trumping Trump?
What is more demented? The President of the United States, a self-proclaimed "stable genius" swinging his full-fledged disease of Narcissism like a wrecking ball across the planet, attempting to bestow glory upon himself while destroying everything in his path with his lies and bullying? Or Americans refusing to acknowlege that we have put a person with a mental disorder in a position of ultimate power?
When are we going to name and face the disease that is our president?
5
I'd lay odds that Queen Elizabeth is experiencing deja vu -- and Prince Charles is having conniptions.
1
Trump and some contributors here complain about Europe's underspending. Look at it the other way, why are there no complaints focussed on US overspending?
No one is forcing the US to spend at current levels, simply reduce expenditure rather than go off on a rant. Shut up, do some math, reduce the US contribution to 2%, and see what happens.
That is far more likely to encourage other NATO members to pay up than a naive outburst by a rabid windbag bully with no history of intellectual rigour applied to any subject that might flit momentarily though his lizard brain.
Some pragmatism is in order. Current US military spending levels must suit someone or, they would have been cut back a long time ago.
2
Here's an easy way to convert any Trump statement to something that makes sense: Whenever he accuses a country or a person, etc., of something outrageous, just change the subject (Germany, Hillary, etc.) to "I" It always works!
For example, "Hillary is the most corrupt lying crook in history", transposes to "I am the most corrupt lying crook in history!"
Or, "Germany is captive to Russia", comes out as the factual, "I am captive to Russia!".
See? This simple formula transmutes meaningless, random slurs into statements of incredible self-awareness.
7
The Insulter-in-Chief is assisted by Mike Pompeo who is the Secretary of State of Insults.
3
Reminds me of when a toddler unleashes a stream of insults... the best reaction is usually an “Oh yeah? Anyway...”
Find comments supporting 45's remarks to Germany repulsive. Germany took in >800,000 refugees partially created by 44's idiotic Iraq War, and Germany as well as other EU nations never asked America for a dime. Also disgusting is 45s comment about Germany being a 'captive' to Russia over oil. Perhaps those supporting 45 should realize that when they go to pump gas at Lukoil, they are supporting Russia's 2nd largest energy firm...the hypocrisy is disgusting!
3
She knows better than to confront the mentally unstable and emotionally immature.
3
Bravo, Mr. President, you have shown the world what leadership looks like. Let the Europeans clutch their pearls, but I do not want to pay for their pearls. One more success for Mr. Trump.
2
Well, when a clown wants to run their mouth - let them. More sooner, than later, they'll always trip themselves up. Always.
2
Our European allies are making the same mistake as the GOP congress has made since Trump took office. They are too polite and afraid to be critical of Trump for fear of reprisal. Trump is a bully. The only way to combat a bully is to stand up to him. Until that is accomplished Trump will blather on unfettered.
3
Frau Merkel is a leader. Trump is a boor. He's lucky she speaks to him at all. But some people have manners. Others don't.
6
TRUMP HAS FINALLY LOST HIS MIND. Everyone has always known that he is a narcissistic sociopath, but his overt lies and total loss of reality lately confirm that his mental stability and grasp of reality have disappeared.
We now have a Dotard as head of state that is a clear and present existential danger. Anyone who is not familiar with all of his destruction must be living in a cave. It is time for those who support this incompetent man (in every sense of the word) to "get over it" and start taking the future of this country and its diverse population seriously. THAT MEANS YOU, CONGRESS!
Every possible legal means must be used to immediately restrain him and remove him from power; to try to rebuild what he has demolished and to safeguard our Constitution from this domestic terrorist.
His upcoming closed meeting with Putin is another deal breaker. Trump is a coward and in Putin's pocket, and is likely to sell us down the river in his quest for a global autocracy and his unbelievable admiration for the master puppeteer who is our primary enemy.
4
Trump should permanently immigrate with his entire family to Russia. And before leaving give America back everything stolen by this gang of thieves, including the Presidency.
12
People (of the American persuasion) are so swayed by business. The more money one makes the smahter one is, right? That's one of the reasons we have trumpf now. He goes about insulting everyone but he must be smaht, right? 'cuz he has lots of money. He's a businessman and not presidential.
1
Our President is a mule among men.
Deplorable crass and as always ignorant and disrespectful off history.
He and his bizarre family need to go away. His family and wife will all be richer at the end of his run. Meanwhile the democrats will not fair well if they don’t have clarity about border security which is never going back to the wall across borders we had and if they play to a women’s and Latino vote in an unrealistic way. While we are distracted Russia and China laugh at the NATO and ally crisis. Crazy doesn’t get the terrible things that Russia and China are doing, ignores our intelligence agencies, brings in a FOX guy who many think will become Chief of staff. He can’t admit or acknowledge the facts about Russian meddling in our election, meddling in Poland, Hungary and on and on. They want to role tanks in.
His hero’s are dictator murderers.
Russia again poisoning in the UK d yes the agent is 100% theirs. The environment global warming inertia is off the rails and the world can’t be fixed. Heard a “genius” in Sherman Oaks CA today say “if we can get to Mars we can fix earth”. Wait, what, huh? moments every day. California’s isn’t the United States kids. It’s crazy. This ship is sinking.
6
I simply can't understand why normally strong and decisive people shrink before Trump. This type of behavior and reaction from world leaders will only serve to embolden the next populist idiot that manages to get elected.
1
US religious credulity is beyond the pale. Trump's mob thinks he's God for what he gets away with.
2
Merkell is in cohoots with Putin. At the same time Russia could send tanks and troops to the German border, and Merkel would have to come out and hand over the keys to Munich.
Pay up!
1
Opinions are and should always be welcome, however, this is an editorial disguised as reporting.
Everyone knew he would put on some kind of show for the folks back home and this was it. What is really troubling is how reluctant other leaders are to publicly call out this moron. I realise they are trying to maintain relations for when the buffoon is finally booted out of office, but I doubt any right thinking President that replaces him would hold it against them.
1
Subtleties do not work with Bozo the Vainglorious Clown. He is a bully, and bullies need to be put in their place directly and promptly. That is exactly how schoolyard bullies are dealt with. Any sign of weakness and they continue to charge.
Remember when the president tried his grip and push handshake with Trudeau and Macaron? He couldn't physically push them around, nor could he psychologically dominate them.
In the past when facing a domestic or international challenge, political unity and social cohesion were Team America's greatest strength.
Donald Trump is making sure America is neither politically united nor socially cohesive.
According to the Bible, Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.
2
Dear NYT: you have fallen for it. You are now a reflection of what we have become:
1. Believing that the only way to be a leader is by screaming foul, by bullying, by being loud and misrepresent situations.
2. Mansplaining and assuming quiet is weakness.
Good leaders can also follow and sit on the unpopular seat like Lincoln. And Bad leaders can only think of themselves leading in eternal paranoia.
2
The US ought to spend less on defense and more on social welfare- that’ll show ‘em!
4
Trump is clearly an embarrassment to the people of the US, who so unwisely chose him as a leader. I believe that his is irreparably damaging our relationships with our most important allies and apparently the only thing that we can do is sit by and watch it all unfold.
I'm sure that if Germany were lead by a brutal, authoritarian dictator things would be fine, since Trump definitely has issues with democracies. That does not seem to portend well for our future here in the US.
3
“We have a very, very good relationship with the chancellor"
He's still defaulting to his Eric Lassard oratory style. Is he still taping his necktie, too?
2
you have that info posted a couple times.
Here is the Eurostat table (screenshot) from 2017 showing all EU imports and all EU imports from Russia (left two columns)
http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:S...
Total is that less than 40% of imported Petro products and LNG come from Russia.
Further according to the German Minister for Energy less than 9% of LNG comes from Russia.
I believe the Minister and the actual Eurostats over any reporters story and certainly over Trumps babbling rants.
Thank you POTUS for finally standing up for America after 8 years of Obama apologizing for our country all over Europe. Those days are over. America has a new leader. God speed.
2
He doesn't stand up for me. As the daughter of a former diplomat and World War II veteran, I have never been so ashamed to be American as I am now and I thank God that my father is not alive to see this.
4
We have a clueless President, who changes his tune by the minute. I’m not even sure that he hears what he says. For him to clammor about how great Putin is, then criticize Germany for trading with Russia is ridiculous. This is the behavior of a four-year-old.
5
Trump appears, instead, to be furthering Russian interests.
5
Trump's mediocrity is apparent to all, even his companions on his various trips abroad. They are reluctant spectators to the inanities and grotesqueries of this mediocre narcissist. We can all wait this one out but the US' standing in Europe and the world will not soon recover.
4
At a 2016 presidential debate, Megyn Kelly asked Trump, “You’ve called women you don’t like fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals. Does that sound to you like the temperament of a man we should elect as president?"
Obviously not.
Chancellor Merkel is one of the strong and brilliant women leaders in recent history. It is obvious that Trump's animus towards her is similar to his contempt for Hillary Clinton or any other highly qualified, strong, and smart woman. He refused to shake Merkel's hand last year, and he was openly jealous when she was selected Time's Person of the Year in 2015.
Trump's behavior and words against NATO today and yesterday are completely disgraceful. He doesn't know how to behave in public. He acts like a thug or barbarian. He might as well take off his shoe and pound on the table.
To our allies whom we deeply honor and respect -- please ignore the 800-pound gorilla in the room. He normally swings from the top of Trump Tower.
5
Trump vs. Merkel reminds me of Studs Terkel.
Macron could end up being the key to amity between the Euro-socialists and this American President. He's actually thought about how his country could become a partner to
les Américains.
1
If you look closely at the footage from The NATO summit, you notice the many persons who avert their eyes in Trump's presence or find some excuse not to shake hands with him. Whereas once we had Jack and Jackie bedazzling Paris or Barack Obama commanding the adoring eyes of crowds in Germany, now in Brussels we see a pariah president inspiring even our closest allies to duck and weave when he comes into view. Elections have consequences...
4
Unfortunately, this is also typical in bullying incidents. There are the nasty bully, the target, and the passive bystanders. The bystanders do nothing to support the target either because they fear the bully, or because they secretly admire him. And it is clear that with our Groper In Chief, it's always personal. I bet he hated Chancellor Merkel from the very beginning because she was such good friends with President Obama.
4
Time to beat the drums for resurrection of the Nabucco gas pipeline project that would circumvent Russia on its route from Central Asia to Austria, thence to Germany; but of course our sabotage of the Iranian nuclear pact probably thwarts that possibility.
Most of the reasons given for Trump's treatment of Merkel and Germany seem too complex. Could it not just be that Germany is a well functioning democracy run by a woman that bothers Trump and NATO is just a convenient scapegoat cause? Hard to imagine that Trump gives any thought to his attitude towards other world leaders other than his personal likes for dictators, manipulators and bullies and dislike for decency, honesty and integrity.
3
I am always struck by Trump's singular focus on $$. It's always how much money each country is spending and he almost gloats that the U.S. is spending more. However, Trump never recognizes, and I think, truthfully, he doesn't care, the loss of life each of the NATO countries have endured. They have lhad military and civilians killed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries in which they have sent personnel at the request of the U.S. Trump has no appreciation or understanding of this. I doubt that he sincerely cares about the U.S. troops who have died or injured either. It's all about the $$. And,
as usual, it's Trump's inappropriate and downright rude manner and exaggerated words (in some cases, absolute lies) that is so embarrassing to us. And Trump also seems to believe that he is leader of the world which, of course, he isn't. He is not respected by anyone, including a large portion of the U.S. Don't ever forget that he lost the popular vote and, if that vote were taken today, I suspect he would lose the popular vote by an even greater number.
3
Security does not come from increased defense spending. We spend enough. Putin's real threat is the attraction of our successful Western lifestyle and culture. We have fresh food, varieties of produce, healthcare systems, high technological competence. lights that do not go out, sewage systems that work, paved roads, early childhood care and maternal care. Of course, all western countries have problems to solve. However, Russia is far behind in terms of the general health of its population and quality of life for its citizens. The more the West spends on improvements to its societies, the farther behind Putin puts the citizens of Russia. Putin's central concern is his personal wealth and to maintain his control over an essentially impoverished country. Russia has one of the highest levels of alcoholism and a declining lifespan while Putin keeps spending money on disruptive cyber attacks and weapons, depriving his country of the monies it needs to make the kind of infrastructure, healthcare and life style improvements that his citizenry seeks. Putin's delusions of grandeur mirror Trump's....
5
For now we do.
1
The simple equation that Trump presents vis a vis Germany and Russia, both in terms of military security and energy, seemed to stultify Stoltenberg. Unused to the blunt directness of an American president determined to address and redress imbalances across the board, the pampered Europeans ensconced in their gleaming glass citadel, sense that the days of American largesse are over. Unlike Obama, who was content to be stroked and adulated by the ultra-sophisticated Euros, this president remains focused like a laser on forcing their hand to take immediate steps to pay more for their mutual defense and reduce trade taxes and barriers. Without the fighting prowess of America, Europe would be overrun by Russia inside a week. Germany may be a European economic powerhouse, but comparatively it is a military pipsqueak.
2
Odd, So you are hoping the German military should return to it's troop levels of 1939?
Sarcasm, right?
In a recent poll, 42% of Germans wanted US military out of Germany.
And that was before the summit.
I wonder what the number is now.
And I assume that the German government will act on this number as only 32% are for keeping the US military in Germany.
Russia is only a fake image the US is using to call for more military spending, there is no danger of Russia going to war against Europe.
Russia has other priorities and problems to solve.
And as the EU is a peace project while the US is basing it's foreign policy entirely on war and military strength these days, the EU will not accept the requests of Trump in any way.
The EU and the rest of the world can see, what happens when you base your economy on military expenditures.
It happened in the USSR and it happens in the US right now.
Europeans don't want to become one of these failed states.
That is not the European way.
Trump can say whatever he wants, he will not get anything.
At best, he will take the US out of NATO and out of the EU and this is pretty much the only thing the Europeans will applaud him for.
As for the rest, no one likes a panicking bully.
And panicking he is as the Mid Terms are coming.
2
The Germans, like much of the civilized world, are too polite and responsible to get into a public row with Trump and the US. But make no mistake, Trump’s comments are viewed with derision. Trump is damaging key US alliances, undermining NATO and the EU, and destroying US standing and credibility. The Germans know that Trump too shall pass (the sooner the better), but the question remains as to what on Earth Trump is doing and why he is doing it. If it’s not clear to you yet, America, most of the rest of the world looks on aghast at your elected leader.
4
Merkel got along quite well with president Barack Obama. That's one important reason, why Trump doesn't like her. Macron is not carrying that burden, since he was not in office back than. Furthermore, she has learned meanwhile that trying to explain the facts to Donald Trump is worthless; he will continue to live in his world of truthiness, no matter what. However, he will be out of office one day, 20. January 2025 latest, hopefully four years earlier. Merkel tries to avoid fundamental cracks in the transatlantic relations, because she knows these relations will be important for decades to come. Keeping that in mind, her personal relation with Trump, or Trumps view on the world are not important.
3
Dear NATO
DJT does not speak for the people of the US.
Our Congress voted in a bipartisan way 97-2 in favor of an ongoing relationship and the strengthening of our alliance.
DJT lost the popular vote in our last election and his approval rating have consistently hovered well below 50% since his (s)election.
DJT is a rogue actor with documented and publicly available allegiance to russia and its leader.
DJT does represent the ideas or views of the US.
Thank you for your patience!
4
The Times arguably did not get the sensationalist response desired from Chancellor Merkel. Labeling her (Germany) weak is playing to the notion lying bullies are validity strong. Please. Chancellor Merkel denied Trump the sniping war he wanted. Good for her. Right now, Mr. Trump is giving an unscheduled press conference regarding the NATO summit and continues to lie in addition to taking contradictatory positions within the same sentence.
1
For the last four years, Russia carried out a campaign of information warfare against our country and was probably the deciding factor in the last election. And yet our president blithely ignores what his own intelligence experts tell him: that Russia is a looming threat to American national security.
So, why isn't Merkel's response, "get your own house in order, Mr. Trump, before you come criticizing mine?
6
It’s easy to empathize with a parent’s frustration as she engages with a child who refuses to take responsibility for some behavior that is obviously his.
The child’s effort to ignore the facts is doomed; the parent’s frustration will be temporary thanks to the power differential. trump’s being the most powerful person in the world allows him to remain indifferent to (or oblivious to) fact no matter how loud the “evidence-based” those of us scream at him.
What is his motivation? What is he seeking with his willful misconduct? I believe at least part of what he seeks is the satisfaction he gets from goading the “reasonable” people around him and leaving them helpless.
1
I would like to point out a few things about this situation.
First, if Chancellor Merkel wouldn't know how to deal with machismo, she would not have obtained her current position - not to speak of keeping it as long as she has. She has paved her way with the political careers of overly confident men, including former chancellors and governors. Trump would be well advised to take her seriously, at least more serious than he seems to.
Secondly, in case the aforementioned was hoping to sway public opinion in Germany by his comments, he vastly overestimates his clout. With an abysmally low approval rating (the last i heard it was at 11%) in his ancestors homeland, a country that repeatedly put it's trust in the driest political style imaginable, it is safe to say that his rhetoric "style" will do nothing but cement his reputation as a petulant old man. It will not even rile up any sort of national pride (if you can call it that in the case of Germany), as people don't take him seriously enough to trigger a mass-reconsideration of the public stance on hard power.
8
By accusing Germany under the influence of Russia, that may very well be the tacit admission that Putin has something on him
2
I figure Trump will move a division from Germany to Poland who's at 2%. This way he can show his ire at Germany while still supporting NATO. Germany should really raise their military expenditures. They're a rich country. If they're so worried about Russia, why doesn't their spending and trade relations with Russia reflect it? Frankly, they're just letting America carry the load. We've been fools.
1
I stand against this bully and I support the leaders of other countries as they sort our how to respond to entirely random attacks by a guilty, complicit, pawn of Russia. Do not mistake manners and diplomacy for "quiet rejoiners".
3
Watch Kelly in the early part of the video clip while Trump is shooting off his mouth at the conference table.
2
Republicans mission statement:
Self interest
Constituents
Party
YES men to Trump
and then “ if they have time “... our Country’s National Interests
Completely worthless in every regard and absolutely serve no purpose
5
I assume Trump didn’t care much about that fake-fierce photo she tweeted out from the G7 summit, and he is paying back.
1
What an unfortunate and misleading headline to this article.
It makes it looks like Trump can chalk up another "win" with
his insulting behavior when , in fact, Merkel is calling him on
his failure to acknowledge Germany's more important contributions to NATO in moral support and German soldiers' lives after 9/11. ( Not that lives matter to Trump, only dollars and the adulation of his base. ) That Merkel was also carefully tempering her comments to save NATO from an American withdrawal by an ignorant, impetuous and vindictive President is likely. Merkel deserves credit for
conducting herself as a responsible and smart head of state.
5
Another lie from Trump: Germany buys 9% of its energy in the form of natural gas from Russia, not 70% as he claims.
5
Perhaps, actually more likely, Chancellor Merkel has more grace than Trump. I know she certainly has more education, grasp of the difficulties of leadership and team building, has never once found it necessary to declare bankruptcy.
Trump is just bully. He acts like a bully everywhere he goes. This really isn't news to anyone.
2
Pushing Germany to rearm. My how times have changed.
8
There is a historical reason why Germany has kept its military spending low: its Nazi past. In the post-War decades, leaders have been rather glad that Germany's military spending has been rather small in relation to the size of its economy. Since WWII, Germany has been encouraged to stay out of conflicts. Trump seems to be forgetting the reasons why previous presidents have welcomed this. If Germany suddenly starts spending 4% of GDP on its military, the world is going to be rather wary. Trump needs to assess this situation in the light of Germany's aggressive past.
5
Reading about Trump's public seagulling (fly in, make lots of noise, leave a mess behind and then fly away) versus the seemingly polite and productive one-on-ones that he has, one phrase comes to mind: "nothing personal, it's just business."
Screaming publically at officials and using "truthful hyperbole" is just negotiation by other means. The overarching question is whether the fundamentals of the strategy are business-related (energy, for example, when talking about the Nord Stream 2 pipeline) or geopolitical in nature.
The president is using his lifetime of rough and tumble, seat-of-the-pants business experience in a completely different context. The cognitive dissonance within the international community and organizations should be no surprise, however jarring the interactions may be.
Merkel's (and Trudeau, as well as Jeff Bezos/Amazon, Harley Davidson, etc.) approach is understandable - let the seagull have his day in public and pursue the art of statecraft behind closed doors.
2
How to insult America's allies ..
Trump's next step to enforce isolationism.
He is destroying America.
4
The newspaper „Die Zeit“ (liberal, similar as the NYT) comments, that for Trump, Germany is the enemy, and that he tries very hard to undermine the prosperity and security of this country. I think that this describes very well the synthesis of each of these meetings (NATO, G7,...), and I think, that the German and European people are hearing very well, that this is what the US administration wants to say.
5
It should be obvious to everyone that Trump is here merely echoing what his “brain”, the sociopath Steve Miller has been feeding him, as Trump himself does not think, he merely reacts to stimuli. The easiest way to a better Trump is to shout from the rooftops about ‘Trump’s brain’, and hopefully the implied intellectual impotence will be seen by Trump’s vanity as a personal insult, driving a wedge between him and his most nefarious manipulator
2
This is what Merkel should have said to trump:
Mr. President: You've done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency.
3
trump: decency? Is that a word? My genius stable mind never heard of it and nobody ever accused me of it!
The interchange shows were the mantle of leadership resides, certainly not with a rude bully that misquotes numbers, bends the truth, is narcissist first and presidential second, and is trying to sow chaos where the is none.
Everyone I meet here talks of Trump with disgust and despair. We are travelling from all over the UK to protest against a president who can steal children from their parents.
Trump is the most dangerous president America has ever had. He knows nothing - and understands nothing. Pulling apart relationships with allies who have stood with America for centuries-through many hard times - while befriending America's enemies.
He tries to turn the clock back to times when rich men owned the earth, everything under it, and every man and woman who walked upon it. He unleashes fear and anger as tools to break America apart, so he can rule over a broken America.
His first thought is: how can this enrich Donald? No matter if it impoverishes workers, poisons their food, pollutes their water and dirties their streets, if it makes Donald a dollar richer, it is worth doing.
Trump- who went bankrupt six times- is wholly morally bankrupt, too. Everything that is good in America is at risk, nothing that is good is safe under Trump's misrule. Trump is the darkness crawling across America, poisoning everything that he touches.
8
The only nation in NATO that is a "captive" is the USA. We are the captives of Donald Trump.
4
thursday 12.26 Trump is speaking at the end of the nato meeting in Bruxelles. He has only one word ,talk about one thing, think about one thing : money and is sick .And when he doesn't speak about money he just insult people. In fact he should stop speaking since his vocabulary is so limited. Nato is not only about money, Mr Trump should look more carefully at why Nato exist and what Nato does, right or wrong.
2
There's a historical reason the west has wanted to keep Germany's "defense" spending in check. Of course Trump knows nothing of history, or Europe. The prospect of a well-armed reunited Germany is unwelcome in Europe, and even to many Germans.
Let's not forget that the euphemism "defense" is fairly recent. Until 1949 our own Department of Defense was called the Department of War.
4
Trump's style is to make statements that are riddled with a mixture of conflations, exaggerations, inaccuracies, and straight-out lies, while omitting the facts that do not serve him. The problem of course is that somewhere buried in that incoherent gibberish are some valid points.
Sadly, any attempts to enter a meaningful discussion, or God forbid, even come to an agreement all parties can accept, are futile, because that is clearly not his goal. His brash, degrading communication style leaves other parties no room to accede to his demands as they will appear weak to their own constituents. Even it they would try to meet his demands, it would never be enough.
That is because he is playing to his domestic audience. As long as he seems the alpha dog, pounding all those abusers of the US, he wins. And it is working, judging by the comments sections of conservative media outlets like the WSJ.
How should NATO allies respond? Do not take the bait, wait him out, and continue the path they were already on, i.e. increase defense spending at a pace their militaries can actually absorb, while paying a bit of lip service to keep Trump at bay. There is no other choice than to wait until America shows up at the ballot box and comes back to its senses.
8
With the President’s help I believe we are finally “coming to our senses.” Previous presidents addressed the same issue “softly” but that achieved little. Just how long is enough? Sticks and stones (wars) will break my bones but words (Trump) will never hurt me.
2
True, previous attempts have not been successful. I guess we will know the outcome once the dust settles. The relentless browbeating may come at a cost though. You never know when you have to call on the goodwill of your allies.
Quiet politeness has not worked. The imbalance is real.
2
I don’t understand why people respond to trumps antagonistic statements.
This man clearly rules by coercing people into shame and then publicly shaming them into submission.
Yet he walks on water...not a single issue raised against him sticks. Where are the democrats, Robert M, the women who claim harassment????
1
Looks like the Senate just gave Trump what would be called in England a "no confidence" vote, by a near majority. He may fool his base but that is all. He has less credibility than .... I will stop there. I find myself thinking things which are not me.
5
Trump is just serving as a paid surrogate of the US Natural Gas Industrial complex. He is acting muca as a lobbyisit would for that industrial segment. It is a simple enough assignment that even Trump can do it.
1
Why are we spending so much money protecting countries like Germany against Russian aggression when they have made a deal for most of its energy to be purchased from Russia? Does this make any sense to anybody? This is lunacy and why was this hidden from Americans by Obama and Hillary? The more data that surfaces about those two, the more disgusted I get.
6
You express it correctly: pure disgust that the blind cannot see.
James - please read more about this issue, from more sources. Find out what actual percent of Germany's energy comes from their Russian purchase, for example. It might help decrease your level of disgust. Good luck!
I oppose Trump intensely, but like a stopped clock he is right sometimes. The NATO financing arrangements are a fossil from the decades after WWII when Europe was poor. And U.S presidents who have agreed, like Obama, have pussyfooted their objections in diplomatic nicety. Why should we have to add to our ruinous national debt paying more than our share when Getmany is so rich? Even Merkel agrees, as her video shows, but the German public disagrees. The U.S. should accompany every unmet demand for fairness with a deadline for our reducing specific contributions.
7
You’re conflating the NATO’s budget with a country’s own defence budget.
3
It suits Putin that Trump singled out Germany for criticism, and he must have enjoyed his stooge’s show in Brussels. Trump and his supporters may see Angela Merkel’s mild “rejoinder” as a sign of weakness. But once again she demonstrated her statesmanlike qualities by not responding to his rant of insults in kind.
In less blunt language she made the point that she needed no lessons in dealing with authoritarian regimes, recalling she had been brought up in East Germany when it had been a Soviet satellite state. She doesn’t want her Germany to be “totally controlled” by Russia, but be independent and free to make its own decisions and policies. Germans in general are aware of their troubled past and reluctant to pull their weight and spend more on military.
The Nord Stream 2 project was promoted by Merkel’s predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, who is Putin’s buddy. Thanks to this friendship Schröder was made Chairman of the Nord Stream Consortium, owned by the Russian energy giant, Gazprom after he was unseated. Trump could anticipate similar reward from Putin if he would remain useful till the end of office.
9
Trump knows little to nothing of civil exchange with partners, and his encashment mentality is classless as always, but I agree with one thing he says: Europe should be able to more or less defend itself. In fact, that would be in our own interest. These days, relying on Trump-led America for military safeguarding in the worst case is disconcerting at best.
4
He's the worst kind of parvenu there is.
Why does the USA continue to buy chinese when it could buy european? The US will say: because chinese products are cheaper. Well, russian natural gas is also cheaper that american natural gas. And I am wrong, or isn't Trump the presidente that says we should all get along with Russia? If so, what's wrong in buying russian gas? I understand Trump is a salesman for american gas. And Europe will buy more of it when it becomes cheap enough. But Trump's threats are simply unacceptable.
9
Angela Merkel knows a lot more about handling Donald Trump than this headline implies. Why should she directly counter his ridiculous claims and get into a public duel? Why feed an escalation of the drama on which he thrives? Let him blather on for his base in the US. She knows well enough how he likes to erect strawmen. She also knows how he quickly moves on to set another dumpster fire so that the smoke will deflect from his own incompetence. He is trying to deflect from the Helsinki Putin summit with no American interpreter in the room, while it has been proven that Putin helped elect him. We are still suffering Russian meddling in our own domestic affairs which he refuses to acknowledge or prevent with any concrete executive policy. Frankly, that is far more shocking than how Germany handles 9% of its energy demands.
14
The one and only time that Article 5 was invoked was by the USA after 9/11, and in response member countries sent their sons and daughters to fight and die for our cause. To call Trump an ingrate and hypocrite would be a grave injustice to ingrates and hypocrites.
8
yet the U.S. only spent 3.5% of GDP on our entire defense budget in 2017 which includes NATO spending. In total we, the U.S. spent less than 1% of our GDP on NATO, so trump and his supporters are so off base with their claims that it is pathetic.
10
I sincerely hope Trump and America's lunacy convinces the Europeans to invest enough to replace -- and completely displace -- US assets in the region. The USA cannot be trusted; 40% of its population is fine with fascism, and they are breaking every promise, oath, contract and treaty ever entered. The American Century is dead, dead and rotting in the grave.
The first move should be to free monies. Europe should start by cancelling all orders for the F-35, a move which has the double whammy of increasing US domestic per-plane costs, hitting the US fiscal deficit, as well as taking a huge bite out of US exports.
Those fearful of European rearmament, cautioning about history, should apply that caution to themselves, as they are the ones busy beating war drums. The US cannot be trusted -- at all -- because the vile Confederacy, and not democracy, is what inspires the nation's dark, deadly dreams.
It's over. Uncle Sam dropped trouser on democracy, preferring to preach the Utopian "Freedom" Gospel of the Loony Libertarian right: unrestricted freedom to cheat, lie, and back-stab one's neighbor.
12
Just how strong does America want Germany to get? Strong behind a nationalist leader who builds a powerful military-industrial complex? Strong enough to kiss off NATO?
And just why does America spend so much on military operations in the EU? Just because we're nice and want to protect all those "socialists?" NATO along with the EU helped to unite European countries and to keep conflicts between them at bay--that's good for the USA. NATO has provided an umbrella allowing Europe to grow into a powerful economic partner from which the USA benefits--why do Americans buy European cars anyway? They like them! Gosh! And the ONLY time NATO has invoked Article 5--which calls for all members to come to the aid of any member that is attacked--was 9/11 and in defense of the United States. Such irony.
So blow it off Trump. Blow it off Pompeo. Blow it off Bolton. You might not like what get from that.
8
Trump is all that epitomizes the “ugly American.” Trump clearly has no appreciation for the strategic significance of NATO and the history of it that makes NATO so vital to America’s defense.
I’m ashamed that Trump is our President.
8
The political process that spat up Trump is patently fake.
4
One can appreciate the reasoning went into Chancellor Merkel's carefully measured and stateswomanlike response.
But oh, Angela, I do feel for you!
6
It is no secret what Vladimir Putin wants: a weaker NATO. He would like NATO to go away, in fact. Putin has stated that in his mind, the greatest tragedy in history was the fall of the Soviet Union. It was the United States leading NATO, perhaps the most successful alliance in the history of the world, that brought down the Soviet Union. And when that happened, NATO moved east. Into the former nations of the Warsaw Pact, and even some former Soviet Socialist Republics. Mr. Putin really didn't like that. And he started pushing back. He took territory from a foreign nation, and now is sponsoring a war in the Ukraine. He wants more. What is there to push back against Putin? Sanctions and NATO led by the U.S. So what Trump is doing is beyond Putin's wildest dreams. Trump drives a wedge between us and our most important allies, while at the same time he praises and cozies up to one of the most criminal despots in the world. A man who has his political opponents assassinated within sight of the Kremlin.
The only question is -- why is Trump doing this? What does Putin have on Trump? It must be pretty bad for Trump to be willing to undermine the alliance that has been the bulwark of democracy and peace since the end of WW II, and won the Cold War. Certainly Trump is a narcissistic bully and an ignorant fool. But he is not this dumb. There is something behind this that has yet to come into full focus.
4
'Mr. Trump has regularly criticized Germany for what he has described as the prevalence of German-made cars on American streets and for taking advantage of American largess to spend less on defense and more on education and social welfare.' Hello? I once read that there were more Mercedes, per capita, in Ireland than in Germany. The tax on all cars here is high: people just want German cars. We don't have a car industry like the US, so maybe Trump's focus should be on US customers and manufacturers. Silly to blame Germany for making good cars.
6
So, the Trump's temper is the issue we all have to be focused on, not the irresponsible foreign and trade policies by 0bama and other predecessors. My cousin's son wanted to bring a car from the US to Germany, but then we found out he would have to pay about 30% tariffs. And yes, looks like only Trump's abrasive manner can change something. Prior to him, the unfair situation existed for decades. I don't remember NYT or other anti-Trump entity to object that status qua.
As Europeans we are not going to follow the kind of spending requested by Trump, this is a clear example of how 'spending' should not be implemented: https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-defense-dept...
Thank you for your clear response. It is time for America to come home, to bring our tanks and planes out of Germany, to let Europeans figure out how to defend themselves and protect their own trade routes and pay for it all by themselves. Good luck with that.
2
You know, it was USA who pushed that Europe doesn’t have a strong United military. It is in USA’s interest to have bases in Europe and a strong presence. If trump will make a deal with Putin against Europe, Europe will be in a really bad spot. But USA will absolutely lose its power. Not sure if trump is worth that.
2
So Angel Merkel refuses to lower herself to Trump's level. Well, good for her. Trump is President because Clinton, (instead of highlighting the issues facing our Country) fell into the trap of fighting Trump at Trump's level. By remaining the voice of reason Merkel can let Trump make a fool of himself.
5
As usual Trump is just saying aloud what American diplomats have been saying among each other for a long time. The contempt for foreign leaders and the preparedness to use high pressure tactics and illegal means - it has all been visible for anyone who follows international politics closely for a long time.
Merkel was right on spot when she - just by recalling that Germany is an independent country - told Trump that he was out of order.
6
Trump cannot stand it when women say "No" to him, and he consistently demeans, ridicules, insults and criticizes those who do. This applies to any woman, from the maid at a Motel 6 up to the Chancellor of Germany.
11
Trump is treasonous. And, all those who support him, or work for him, are guilty of misprision thereof.
Now, let's see those tax returns!
8
Instead of discussing a muted response from Ms Merkel, we should be discussing the awful behavior Trump has displayed at the G7 and now at the 2018 NATO summit.
The tantrums need to stop. He acts like a drunk at his local brewery. He represents the United States of America for God's sake.
9
Clearly Trump's plan is to make the USSR great again.
6
It's a shame that our president doesn't find more from Germany on how to run this country. Their people have medical benefits and a fantastic educational system. I wish our country could learn from Germany"s great system in how they take care of their people.
9
Im kinda surprised that the Libs are supporting NATO. As Pacifists, they should realize that NATO is the most likely source of future military engagement because we are obligated to defend all of these countries. If we would dissolve NATO, we would be much safer because no one would dare attack us. Its just a fact.
1
What a crock.
Article 5 was only invoked ONCE and it was to come to the aid of the aid of the USA after 9/11. Our allies came to OUR aid.
Given Trump's behavior, I'd be surprised if that ever happened again.
He is completely isolating the USA.
We will have no allies left, not evem Russia!
Pearl Harbor.
Before NATO.
It's just a fact.
Americans should follow Dr. Merkel’s lead and ignore Trump’s lies. He is intimidated by a highly educated woman. The US places no value on education and social services but prefers to be an arms dealer. An uneducated populace is easily manipulated - highly educated Europeans know the difference between facts and lies. All those German cars on US streets - bought by wealthy Republicans. Not everyone wants an overpriced monster truck.
17
Well said.
Chancellor Merkel is a class act.
trump is a crass act...
8
Trump is in Russia's pocket (money laundering, loans, business with criminals, videos). He is intentionally doing Russia's bidding in trying to weaken NATO. More Crimea's to come.
7
Bad diplomacy, but not an insult. People need to get a littler bit of a thicker skin. This is the real world
Trump insults, typically with his usual "truth stretching", well, lies, other heads of state and they gracefully allow this to happen.
I believe that given Trump's propensity for insults by tweet, in person or using his proxy, Fox "News", these heads of state need to put decorum aside and call him out on his lies.
It is apparent he has no respect for them. They should demonstrate the respect issue in kind.
3
The fact that the US prefers to spend its citizens' money on missiles and fighter planes rather than health care and education is not Europe's doing. If Trump carries out his threat to reduce US military spending most of us would see it as an unexpected flicker of sanity rather than a punishment. We have no intention of diverting more of our desperately short budgets into guns and soldiers just because Trump thinks that calling us names will distract from his own problems.
4% of GDP would be a ridiculous amount to spend on the military by a country that apparently can't properly feed, educate and provide health care for its own people. Maybe Trump should look at his own budget priorities rather than trying to tell other countries what they should spend their taxpayers' money on.
16
Chancellor Merkel is a slow burn - one underestimates her at their own peril. She fully expected this attack and her reaction demonstrated emotional maturity not weakness. To engage with Trump on his terms would only serve his domestic political agenda – which was the entire point of his breakfast braying. Both leaders face serious political challenges at home, but only one of them faces the prospect of prosecution.
19
The best way to handle a bully is to kneecap him. I'm pretty sure Merkel understands that.
5
The president of the United States says Germany is being controlled by Russia. Does the psychology sound vaguely familiar? We’ve seen it again and again. Accuse others of what you’re doing. We’re witnessing the greatest act of treason in American history and nobody is saying a word. Goodbye, United States of America. Rest in peace.
11
Merkel, the stooge of German banks and German big business is hailed yet again by the readership of this paper as some kind of saint, all because she has has the temerity to stand up to Trump by...refusing to commit to NATO? Huh?
Germany is the one trying to undermine NATO. Germany and all of the other NATO countries that refuse to meet the 2% target. The USA is meeting that target.
Merkel is the one seeking to undermine NATO. Her masters, the German corporations, want Russian resources, and they are happy to trade away NATO's strength in order to get them. And all the while, the Germans are begging the United States to keep the Russians from taking Ukraine back from the EU. These Germans have to be the most hypocritical people in history!
Trump's style is brash and undiplomatic, but his instincts are right. Shame that American liberals are leaping to the defense of a woman who has done more than any other person to crush democracy in Europe. Don't believe me? Read up on the Greek crisis.
2
And it was opposed by President Obama, as well.
2
Heiko Maas' Twitter comment that “We are no captives — neither of Russia nor of the United States” left out the truth, "We're just bourgeois feckless; we can't even defend our own borders from wandering migrants."
No question NATO is zip without American money and troops. Time to shut the bases down and bring the troops home.
3
There's no appeasing a tyrannical demagogue. You'd think Europe would have learned that lesson. The 2% goal, which is for 2024, was never the issue for Trump; here he is already yelling for 4%, which, in turn, is not the issue. NATO is dead so long as Trump is President. It would be foolish indeed for any European ally to rely on the U.S. now. Trump belongs to Putin.
5
This meeting reminds me of a friend telling me about his family's recent get-together. An uncle is getting up there in years and is losing it and has quite the mouth on him (racist, xenophobic, etc.)
The family just nodded and agreed with the poor old guy, he said. And then they all got together to discuss putting him into a home.
Every one of these nations he lambastes has their own intelligence services. Each has embassies here in the U.S. along with their own spies. Each has access to our military secrets. It would not surprise me if all of a sudden dirt on Trump starts hitting the fan. Nor would it surprise me if all of Europe imposed a travel ban on America and refused access to all of those military bases. They could all politely tell Trump to go it alone and watch the U.S. try and keep its empire going across the planet without their help.
3
For the FM, Germany is a side issue. His main interest is getting more publicity for himself. That has been his central purpose his entire life. That's what got him where he is.
2
I can only hope NATO hangs together until this Russian dupe is dethroned. For that matter, I can only hope this country hangs together until then...
2
For goodness sake, when is this going to end? The abuse, the bullying, the rudeness, the wanton cruelty? The worst part is that so many people support this behavior.
7
He wasn't talking to NATO leaders, but to his fan base back here. Appearances to the contrary notwithstanding, politicians often do this, and we would do well to remember it. He's a disgrace to our country, yes, but he knows he can get away with it. His deplorables love the idea that he's sticking it to every group they hate.
12
The Obama administration cultivated a fairly incredible collapse of the oil markets which, in turn, crushed the Russian economy after it's aggression in the Crimean peninsula. No shots fired.
Trump, naturally, lacks the sophistication to comprehend this kind of leverage. So now he's using a simple tactic, projection, to hide his own failings in dealing with Russia. He's simply trying to change the discussion from his coziness with Putin to something else. ANYthing else.
In doing so, Trump provides us with proof positive of his incompetence - his own admision that he failed & he's trying to change the subject.
Narcissists are not at all fascinating. Rather, they're like little bugs with few tools to accomplish their means... triangulation, scapegoating, projection, gas lighting... random temper tantrums, etc.
When you realize how shallow their tool box is, nothing the do surprises you.
Merkel should just remind the world how many billions of dollars in trade the US has with Russia......
6
Trump's attacks on Chancellor Merkel and Prime Minister May issue from his unvarnished misogyny. He attacked Hillary Clinton in much the same vein. He simply does not believe that women should be the political leaders of nations.
4
Trump consistently engages in projection: denying the existence of certain traits in themselves while attributing them to others. Calling Germany a captive of Russia certainly fits that pattern.
4
Well, if Merkel *is* totally controlled by Russia, as Trump alleges, that makes two of them, doesn't it...?
3
Trump's "blistering salvo" regarding Germany's energy dependancy on Russia was based on totally alternative facts. He carefully directed his"salvo" at Nato's Stoltenberg, who had little to do with the matter, and was not in a position to immediately come up with the correct numbers. No similar "salvo" was directed at Merkel - for obvious reasons. Hence the quiet rejoinder. Why bring up a false accusation and bring it more visibility.
The general conclusion in Europe is that Trump did this only to impress the American media. It seems he is succeeding in painting himself as a strong leader. Newsflash: Europeans do not consider badly-behaved bullies who don't check their facts strong leaders.
10
Germany knows better then most anyone that bad leaders come and go
They do leave a wake of destruction behind them
The US is at this point.
One day, maybe not for another 6 years, but one day Trump will be gone
And America and Germany, and the world will be friends again
1
It's simple: Trump hates the Western democracies: Canada, Germany, Europe generally the UK. He likes tyrannies: North Korea, Russia, the Philippines
America has changed sides. We're on our own.
6
I object to headlines and narrative that makes it sound like other world leaders should be responding to President Trump with insulting language such as he uses on a daily basis. Would you be happy if they started throwing punches? There is a reason diplomatic language exists. Leaders who control armies and missiles protect us by showing they know how to speak calmly and show restraint. If Trump has a message that makes sense, he defeats his point by his shameful and frightening behavior.
2
We all know he is a mean-spirited, ignorant bully who we also suspect to personally profit from decisions made ostensibly in the public interest. By crook or twisted fate, some 80,000 votes or so in three states allowed an Electoral College to override more than three million voters and deal the most powerful hand in the free world to one who cares not about God, or blood or country. Our allies have their own domestic concerns, and besides, our fight is not theirs. They may know what Russia has on him, but we have not yet been told. Here at home, evangelicals and the Republican establishment have made their Faustian pact. Farmers pray there is more strategy than smoke and mirrors in a trade war gone amok. His actions, among others, against global security and economic well-being are not merely unsavory, they are immoral. We all know that the divisiveness that pits one American against another by this man's (this family's) politics (and business interests) relies upon deceit and fabrication, and is based on selfish conceit and insatiable greed. And yet those of us who saw it coming find too much pride in our confidence, and those of us just now questioning our former trust in him, find that doubt to be too humiliating to express. We have all heard the words the American political power establishment withholds for him in private, and still they refuse to act. He, his family, and his Faustian friends, bank on our pride and humiliation.
5
Is Trump in favor of improved relations with Russia or not? I thought he was. What are the facts on Germany's gas supplies from Russia? How dependent are they or will they become when this pipeline is completed? If they have other sources sufficient to cut Russia off, does that give the Germans economic clout over Russia?
Trump's foreign policy is a mish-mash of disconnected reactions to different specific situations, his behavior is a lesson in why diplomacy is conducted the way it is, not the way he does it. He embarrasses foreign leaders so they cannot go along with him without appearing to be dominated so they don't. He is mercurial so other foreign leaders cannot support him because they don't know what they are supporting, so they don't. He tries to link unrelated issues and trade off on them: foreign trade vs. NATO, build my wall and I will reunite immigrant families, we ate allies but you are stealing from us. None of this works, it is all ridiculous.
In order for Germany to have the kind of build up Trump envisions (with him as the point salesman, of course), it would first have to make radical changes to its Constitution.
I wonder why this is never mentioned because Germany has been prevented from that kind of military build up since the end of WWII and the reason should be clear, Nazism.
More importantly, since that time, they have shown no interest in that kind of militaristic adventurism.
Nor should we want them to, especially with the spread of the alt right throughout Europe and especially in Bavaria.
It is also abundantly clear by now that there is no alliance and/or agreement Trump will not break. He has already telegraphed everything he wants to do. Take him seriously. He will break what there is and put a boot to the neck of all the remaining pieces to extract what he thinks he wants.
This goes beyond Putin. This is all Trump!
It is 21st century financial imperialism. He is gambling that we are still the biggest kid on the block, in addition to playing a game of chicken.
More importantly, it is also clear that he now views the US Armed Forces in Europe as a mercenary force. After all, if he has good relations with Russia, but Putin creates more tension within the EU (increasing destabilization), it is not our problem even if we helped create it.
As for the home front, Trump has already accelerated his coup. Yet another SC judge that thinks presidents are above the law. What joy!
5
Trump's complete and total inability to rationally discuss matters with foreign leaders is a reflection on where the US is headed. He seems to feel that insulting, name-calling and bullying is the approach that works. It does not...but I seriously believe he is attempting to undermine and bring Merkel down. An unfortunate thing, but just as Putin brought him to power...he will attempt to replace moderate governments with nationalistic puppets.
3
I wonder why the US thinks it needs to spend 4 percent of GDP on defence, now that Donald says Russian and North Korea are his friends.
5
I always wonder what the people in the USA, especially the Trumpians, would say if the Prime Minister of an allied country would act as weird as their President at the moment. They would consider him as traitor and as a threat to NATO. I can nearly hear the uproar if Angela Merkel would call the US as captive of Saudi-Arabia. What would happen if she requests that the US bases in Germany has to be closed?
So please open your eyes and see what is happening.
4
European military spending will increase, but it will be slow, due to the diversity of Europe and the political systems. And some people are afraid of a remilitarized Germany due to the history of Europe.
I agree that we in Europe need to spend more on the military. Most people here do. But we have given the lives of our sons and daughters in the middle east for our partner, the U.S, after 9/11. That ought to mean something. And of course, to educated and sentient Americans, it does.
Also, try and remember the deal NATO made with Gorbatchev when the Soviet Union fell. We promised to not expand NATO an inch towards Russia. That promise lasted 4 years and we have been expanding since, Expanding further might not help the situation.
We need to empower The U.N, W.T.O and other international organs more, not make them obsolete. Make treaties, have more diplomatic talks. "I give you this, you give me that". As long as things move in the right direction there is hope. Right now we are moving in all the wrong directions at once and if we have a recession in the middle of all this then more populistic shifts in governments will emerge.
Some day soon we will be adressing a common enemy though ; climate changes, over population and pollution, and the me, me, me, and more, more, more will have to change.
I wish the american people good luck getting rid of their tyrant. As I do the russian people with theirs. Too many psychopaths in leader positions in the world today.
Have a nice day!
8
What is it that Mr Trump is hoping to achieve by wrecking thevWestern alliance?
Omnipower that makes the USA the one and only power in the world?
That is further to day than any other day in the span of moderns Times with both China and Russia standing in full alert and the WHOLE world rejecting that not only out of rejection of America in principle and totally recognizing the short period it did in the near pass the, Rembrandt the catastrophic Iraq, but particularly and much more so out of rejejection and disdain of a Trump America!!?
In some respects, this is the Paris Accord in reverse. The allies chided Trump for exiting this Accord, which was not ratified at all by Congress and was a huge give away to China, the largest emitter now of CO2, by the wealthy countries, to a tune of $10 billion. Trump said no to that giveaway and the MSM and Democrats cried foul. Now it is Trump's turn to turn the tables and chide some allies, mainly Germany, who are shirking on their NATO commitments, and the media and Democrats again are crying foul. The scofflaw allies, again, namely Germany, would rather pay China, to whom they should have no obligations, to reduce their CO2 emissions than put that same money to reach the 2% NATO spending targets that they committed to as being members of the NATO club. Their priorities are funny, and some of us see the hypocrisy.
3
The problem with Trump is that sometimes there is just enough, a few grains of truth, at the root of all his nonsense. This gives him and his supporters something to latch on to.
Germany DOES have a serious problem because of its dependence on Russian natural gas AND oil. When NATO & the EU should have been sanctioning Russia for its excesses (Crimea, Ukraine, state sponsored murders, etc.) Germany has always been one of the voices arguing for restraint. The reason is that a REAL boycott of oil and natural gas would be required and this would definitely have a negative short term impact on Germany's economy. German political leaders have not been willing to put their support on the line. They fear that a slowing in the economy will translate to political losses.
Germany is not alone in this problem, it's just one of the more important cases. The UK has a similar struggle, but connected to its real estate and banking sectors, which depend too much on Russian money laundering.
Of course, all this coming out of the mouth of Trump, Putin's lackey, is truly absurd.
2
So the unwillingness - the inability - to take on Trump in the same strident tones he uses reaches international levels.
Why didn't Merkel at least challenge his "facts" about the amount of energy Germany imports from Russia? She would have been on solid grounds to do so. But her tepid response to Trumps's horrible attack didn't mention that he didn't know what he was talking about.
What is it about Teflon Don that makes it so impossible for even his peers to speak up to him.
Maybe now I understand the deafening silence from Ivanka and Melania about the debacle rending families apart at our Southern border.
2
The only reasonable response is to stop inviting him to these meetings. Just stop talking to him. I won't matter.
Attacking people is not Chancellor Merkel's style. This article seems to imply that because she didn't respond to Trump's attacks by attacking him in return, she is weak. Chancellor Merkel is exactly the person Germany needs at its fore right now. All this egoistic grandstanding is not her style even if it makes her look weak in the eyes of these two authors. As an American living in Germany, I find her style refreshing in this internationally strange political time!
6
“Our one remaining chance is the Mueller investigation?”
So, Trump is right about it being a biased and partisan witch hunt.
2
Hard to stand up to the truth especially when your hand is in the cookie jar. Can some one please explain why we must pay 70% of the NATO budget while Germany sits on piles of cash and 7 warplanes that actually function properly? Just curious.
3
We don’t pay 70% of NATO’s budget. We pay approximately 22% of the common fund. Please take a few minutes to fact check through non-partisan sources.
5
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2018/07/10/defense-expenditur.... Use something other than MSNBC as a source.
What Trump said about Germany's reliance on Russian fossil is absolutely true and it needs to be said. Europe could not enforce the sanctions Obama wanted because of this dependence on Russian Natural Gas. This is largely the fault of European greens that sabotaged both Nuclear and Natural Gas, all based on scienceless hysteria. The NYT has played a massive role in demonizing both nuclear energy and natural gas for the past few decades. You all may find comfort in pushing blame on Trump or Russia but in reality nothing empowered Russia more than their fossil exports. The US could displace Russian exports with Natgas and Petroleum, both of which would have been banned had Bernie won. It is time the left get realistic about energy lest you prop up more petro-state dictartoships with renewable fantasies.
2
For Merkel and for us (Germans) it was a stark response. She essentially told him that he has no clue and that Germany does what it wants and that we do not care about him. That is a message which never in the last 70 years was given by a german government to a US president. It was unthinkable.
However, we Germans think that the US made an awfully bad choice with this president but that he is not representing America really and that he is only a temp problem. There is no risk at all that we shut down your Ramstein base (there is not much more in Germany any more).
The only chance that that happens is when Trump really succeed in destroying the NATO. Then Germany (and the EU) would have to look for an interim Partner in Security (most likely China) and would build up own strategic capabilities most likely in an EU framework.
1
Besides the comparisons with Germany in the 1930s, a German term that comes to mind as we self-destruct is "Gotterdammerung" - the twilight of the gods.
1
It should not be so difficult to understand Trump's treatment of allies and his seemingly overt desire to destroy Nato and alliances. Trump is a captive of his own ignorance, his obsessive of money, and, above all, of Russia. The U.S. is losing its relevance, its moral status in terms of human rights and of the universal ideas of democracy and respect for international laws and conventions that are the foundation of stability of the current international systems of nations.
What is so sad is the deafening silence of the U.S. Congress, of the feeble response of the American educated progressives, and of the kowtowing reporting of the American press.
2
Chancellor Merkel responded to Trump's insensitive, erroneous, insults with CLASS. Just because she did not use insults; the rebuke is still a strong one. This is something that Trump nor the Republican and other enablers can understand. Please vote in November.
4
Trump forgets that EU, and Germany in particular (by choice of Merkel which will hopefully cost her job) are mostly affected by the unfinished job the US has done in Irak , Afghanistan, Lybia etc.. As a consequence of this disastrous decisions (Bush and Blair), the refugees from these areas are now swamping Europe.
The cost of refugees in Germany alone is more than 20bn USD annually, and that does not even take into account the victims of crime, the additional security beef-up , the wrath of the german people against the government and the invaders etc.
3
Germany ""captive to Russia" - look who's talking.
And yes, things have not been going so smoothly for Merkel at home, but with Trump's despicable behaviour and her pragmatic (non)-reaction to his jibes, her approval ratings are on the rise again. If he thinks he can cause her downfall, he's wrong, bigly; He's actually making her stronger.
3
NYT: Please don't say "Merkel hesitates" because she may instead be collaborative. It makes more sense for each Euro leader to work with the other Euro leaders and respond rationally and collectively. For Merkel to fight Trump mano a mano is to lower herself to his level, and nobody needs that.
1
Trump's stunts are all show for his barroom brawler "base" who love stickin' it to furriners and liberals who favor an interdependent world.
It would be a surprise if Trump actually did something to reduce economic tensions rather than using gangland tactics and methods. He is no paragon of American virtues, to say the least, but Europeans know the reincarnation off Am Capone when they see him.
1
This is fascinating - the media and the Democrats are harping on about Russia all of the time, and Trump's alleged or lack thereof ties to Russia, yet when Trump reverses the dialogue 180%, and criticizes Germany for being a big customer of Russian natural gas, even though the EU imposed trade sanctions on Russia after the annexation of Crimea, the Democrats and the MSM reverse their 'Russia is our enemy' stance and defend Germany for being a big customer of theirs. This sheer hypocrisy is undeniable and entertainment at its best.
2
It seems that Trump simply uses security concerns in order to „make a deal“ for LNG exports from the US to Germany, applying his real estate deal bullying tactics. So in other words he is growing the swamp, as his administration has been doing from day one. Maybe he has a kickback payment agreement in place, maybe he just wants to honor the donations from the gas industry.
I was watching Putin about a month ago in a video where he was in a meeting with European leaders in Sochi. The same Europeans were kind of complaining about security issues and Trump. And Putin with sarcasm, suggested that Russia was ready to defend them. That is why I really don't blame Trump to really tell them like it is; because I suspect that they will surely turn to Russia if the US exigence on defense spending were too expensive that is what 6 decades of freeloading does it creates an entitlement mentality.
2
It has been US NATO allies that proofed loyalty and gave their blood, the only time in history Art.5 has been called. War on Terror was based on 9/11 and the mess US and Russia have privately settled in Afghanistan long ago and still Europeans have shown solidarity.
The USA is messing around in our European backyard for decades now, causing deaths and agony, drown us in costs by shoveling floods of refugees to our borders (almost 1% of GDP) and undermine our resource diversification and autonomy (Syria, Lybia, Iran). They go full info war to weaken the EU at all costs and protect their hegonomy and the US dollar and now White House shakes NATOs trustworthiness. Still we welcome US soldiers and citizen on our ground, offering infra and a hub to the Middle East and South Asia to continue the mess you start. Still we willstand by ground in case of war against an ally. This kind loyalty: priceless.
NATO heavily needs to find it's original purpose (State of Defence) and dedicated budget allocation, or it's lost soon. Europeans wants to pay their fair share and I guess they are already there. But we don't to pay private US meddlings around the globe.
The only reason we may and we will need to raise defense budget is not fear of russia, but fear of a unreliable US partner in the future.
The USA wants to be the Europeans to be on their own? Take care what you wish for.
4
Trump is right. NATO countries want our protection, but don't want to pay for it. The bank is closed
3
From her it was a stark response. She essentially said that Trump has no clue and that we (I am German) do what we want and will not be bullied. She also told him, that we will not meet the 2% in 4 years because it was only agreed to move towards that target.
Trump alone would never be a reason to shutdown your Ramstein base in Germany. A congress dominated by the likes of Trump may change things but our perception is, that the US did an awfully bad choice with Trump but he is a temp problem only.
After the impact of his trade wars will have hit the world and especially the US economy, I hardly think there is a lot of more appetite on "America first".
3
Of course, She didn't react one doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to figure this out; Germany has a lot to lose; back in the days, you didn't see the streets and highways of America filled with so many German cars. It was mostly Detroit, in other words, American cars; this means that somewhere all the misery in Michigan right now is related to that situation. I can credit Trump as opposed to all his previous predecessors to really tell it like it is to these Europeans who were kind of hypnotizing our politicians and get them to work against their own people interests without receiving a significant counter offer. Because when I go to Europe there aren't American cars in their streets.
2
Guess why that is so...
American cars are consuming way too much gas, just to begin with. With our gas prices, that is a killer for most of the populace.
Start bulding better cars and you will see more American cars on our streets.
Look at the Asian carmakers. They also build very efficient cars and you see them plentiful on our roads.
1
Check your facts. German auto companies build a lot of vehicles in the US. As for why there are a lot of German cars on the road ... test drive one and you’ll know why.
1
US cars have a very poor reputation in Europe with the exception of Ford. They just can't compete unlike Japanese and, more recently, Korean manufacturers. It's the product not trade barriers. It should also be added that German car makers invested heavily in US based production facilities. Those "German" cars seen on the road might actually be manufactured locally.
It's not as black and white as the President presents it.
1
What Mrs Merkel did, was to set the tune for the meeting making clear to her peers that Mr Trump's bullying is better left unanswered. That was a very wise thing to do. In her rebuke of of Mr Trump insult, she made clear to all that Mr Trump does not know what he is speaking about. It was Mum (Mutti), like Mr Merkel is lovingly though critically called in Germany, at her best. Do not expect European leaders to try educate the US president. That phase is over. The European leaders leave it now to European citizens to make clear to the bullying US president what people in Europe think of him.
3
Social welfare is a national defense issue for every country; even the United States. The problem is that the U.S. spends more on warfare than welfare ...
2
If the US government insists on depriving our country of schools, bridges, health services to fund a monstrous military, I see no reason other countries should repeat those mistakes.
Also, that military’s actions in this century have made us unsafer, and cyber security may be more important than rockets for our defense.
6
It's called maturity, not hesitance or weakness. We are still not there yet, obviously.
NATO countries contributed blood and treasure to Bush's war of choice waged on Iraq and also our war on Afghanistan. U.S. policies have helped destabilize Middle Eastern countries and turned up the level of threat plus sent refugees flooding into Europe, desperate for safety. In effect, we have raised the bills they have to pay.
10
Follow the money please. The simpflication of NATO being simply a shield for Europe from Russian aggression is inaccurate. Yes, the US makes the major contribution to the alliance but this investment does not in only go towards European defense. Only 60.000 US troops reside in Europe. The vast amoount of spending and military personnel goes towards efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign countries that mainly defend the geo-political interests of the United States. So essentially the Europeans are actually massively contributing to the interests of the US and not vice-versa. The president is unfortunately not capable of reading more than one page a day so of course his facts in judging the case are somewhat "limited".
7
Trump saying Germany and the rest don't pay their "fair share" is like a superb arsonist complaining that his neighbours are not paying enough to his fire department.
When you factor in the cost to Europe of refugees - caused directly by the U.S.A's constant military adventures - some might say America does not pay nearly enough.
10
Germany has the strongest economy in the EU, they should not be a NATO scofflaw, at only 1,2% spending. Merkel is used to bossing other countries around in the EU, squeezing Greece to death with severe austerity measures, on behalf of the German bankers; and demanding that Hungary, Poland, and other eastern EU countries accept the migrant quota dictated by Merkel, the very migrants that Merkel alone and without consulting with other member states, invited. Merkel is only getting a taste of her own medicine, when Trump pushes that Germany commits to the 2% goal as an obligation of being a member of the NATO club. There will be many advantages, such as increased jobs in the military supply sector. Apparently, Merkel would rather pay for 1.5 M foreign nationals / migrants (in 2015 alone) than put that money into her own country and military. It is a misplaced set of priorities.
4
To a large extent. The US failed invasions in the Middle East have caused a lot of the migration issues for which Europeans must pay.
4
I can do that even faster if he just pushes one button. But who measures a politician by the speed of influence? Isn't it more important how someone influences the world? Hitler also influenced the world quick and dramatically. Would you consider this as a positive side of him?
Have we all forgotten that President Obama, in 2014, immediately following the invasion of Crimea, berated Europe (albeit with more nuanced language) for allowing itself to become dependent on Russian energy?
2
I feel, President Trump is right in one way. As per Article 5 of NATO Declaration, an attack on any member country is deemed to be an attack on all other member countries. Being mightiest country in the world and more so among NATO members, America would be forced to defend the member country, with all its vigour. The participation of other countries would be relatively in lesser proportion. Why should America be spending both technologically and physically, its military force, when other countries would be enjoying the benefits? Let there be a greater contribution by the member countries.
I feel, it would be better if NATO is scrapped altogether. There is no more USSR now. We all have only one enemey who fights in the name of religion. The said enemy could be dealt with differently.
2
Trump says“Germany, as far as I’m concerned, is captive to Russia because it’s getting so much of its energy from Russia,”
Yes that is true, Germany imports natural gas from Russia transmitted through pipelines one of them Nord Stream 1 that lies under the Baltic Sea. And yes, it is true that the first part of the planned Nord Stream 2 is already under construction in Germany, further evidence of Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas.
There is, perhaps, a bitter irony in Trump's concern with Germany's dependence on Russia. Here is why.
The longer term concern both in Germany and Trump's USA is the commitment to a fossil fuel the combustion of which makes the climate-change problem ever worse. Since the use of natural gas per capita is far higher in the USA, it is the USA that should not be building natural gas pipelines.
And the most fundamental question for me, as US citizen who will vote Democratic in November is this: Can the election of a Democrat as Trump's successor in 2020 trigger the reversal of natural gas dependence in the USA?
Since I live in Sweden, I know that a country can exist very well without natural gas. That country, SE, does import oil from Russia but at least has a plan that will end that dependence.
In the USA even expressing such a thought is, shall we say,un-American.
Writing from a home heated - and today cooled if need be- by air-air heat pump.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Citizen US SE
3
True to his ill temperament and manners Trump has insulted and accused the European leaders on many counts, still was treated with decency and decorum reserved for the guest by the European leaders. Nor was he reminded of the bitter fact that most of the heat produced by the US destabilising wars abroad is being faced by Europe. Or, it's Europe actually paying for the sins of the US. In reality, the cost to keep the US safe and defended is being borne by Europe. So the greater part of the NATO defence spending that Trump is asking the NATO countries to share should be rather borne by the US that Trump will never acknowledge due to his mean business mentality.
10
The gas supply is a moot point. If Russia were to try to wield influence by shutting down the pipelines, Germany would go to Norway, the Saudis, or even the US for its energy. And the Russians know that. The Germans get cheap energy from Russia and both sides (well, banks and oligarchs anyway) get rich in the process. Neither side wants it to fail.
With regard to NATO, Trump wants to have his cake and eat it, too. He wants the US to maintain supreme control over NATO while Europe foots more of the bill. He hasn't mentioned scaling back the very large US presence in Europe or increased cooperation among NATO countries. Because that's not part of the deal. Why should Europe pay more, then? If the US wants to continue their control over NATO, they should be the ones paying for it.
13
Remember John le Carre's novel "A spy who came in from the cold". Trump's election because of Russian intervention & his subsequent actions vis a vis Russia as President to date are quite suspicious, and somehow remind of that novel. God only knows what Russia has on our President that he is willing to break our countries longstanding relationships. Surely he cannot make America great again by secluding our country with the rest of the civilized world.
13
"Mr. Trump has regularly criticized Germany for . . . taking advantage of American largess to spend less on defense and more on education and social welfare."
Perhaps that's what America too should do. But Mr. Trump would rather get Germany to dismantle it universal health coverage and subsidized educational system.
16
I think at this point the European leaders have made a pragmatic decision: Trump isn't going to be around forever. The trans Atlantic relationship is still going to vital in the coming decades - these alliances are critical to the stability of democracy in the West. If NATO, there would be more than just security consequences, but political and economic ones as well.
America made a huge mistake in electing Trump. Europe knows this. A majority of Americans know it. But this mistake isn't permanent (except for SCOTUS). Better to weather the storm rather than provoke an existential crisis in the alliance.
20
Trump will win again in 2020. America & Europe knows this
Strictly neutral, informal poll: Had enough of President Tantrum yet?
32
More than “enough”!
Uh, yes please.
As the German Baron von Clownstick has taken over Amerika - Merkel HAS to be quiet or America will notice.
9
Perhaps the answer is for the US to spend less on the military, not for everyone else to spend more.
23
On the one hand Trump-haters criticize him for cozying up to the Russians, (even though the Russians gave the Clintons $31 million), while on the other hand Trump takes heat for pointing out Merkel's invitation of Russian dominance.
Which is it?
9
trump's attacks on Germany -- under the pretense of criticizing their supposed subservience to Russia -- are weakening if not undermining the NATO alliance, which is exactly what Putin wants.
trump is in both cases serving the interests of Russia.
That's why.
1
It's both. They're two entirely different things.
1
We despise Trump and everyone who supports him. There is nothing redeeming about his supporters. There your question answered!
The defense of Europe is also the defense of the US. If Trump blows up NATO, America is going to be shocked how much more defense costs for the US goes up. And is he going to stand idly by if Russia gets aggressive with a NATO-less Europe? As far as trade surpluses, perhaps US corporations should manufacture more new, innovative products that would entice Europeans to buy more made-in-America products.
3
Regarding Trump's calling Germany a captive to Russia.
There is a thing in psychology called projection whereby people ascribe to others their own feelings. It's common in those who suffer from sociopathy. Trump's calling someone else a captive to Russia seems like an almost perfect example of this and gives us insight into who this description really fits.
23
Merkel may have negotiated and compromised with opponents which does not necessarily mean that she is weak - the press makes every thing sound like a battle.
These European countries have suffered two world wars and after years of suffering the resultant outcomes they have come out of them to relative peace. They may have learnt to listen and may be have understood that a little give and take goes a long way to reach a peaceful consensus. So take it easy Press folks?
2
As an American observer living in Germany for many years, I need to comment on Erlanger and Davis’ reaction to Chancellor Merkel’s response to Trump’s comments at the NATO gathering. Merkel's response was not muted. It was simply intelligent. Trump’s behavior is either juvenile and foolish or secret and sinister. The best reaction to a fool is to ignore him. The best response to a serious threat is to avoid diversions and make serious preparations. In either case, you can be sure Chancellor Merkel’s government is paying attention. It’s true that Merkel faces strong domestic political challenges, but in a world being washed by a human wave of resistance to accelerating change in a digital age, she’s hanging in there better than most political figures. Don’t underestimate her grasp of the circumstances or her ability to respond to them in helpful ways. And most certainly, don’t underestimate her resolve.
53
Germany, among the richest of the EU countries, has also been among the slowest to increase its defense spending. At its current rate of increase it will not reach the 2% target it committed to in 2014.
In 2014, in the wake of the invasion of Crimea, President Obama gave a stern speech about the need for NATO members to budget more for defense. It was mostly ignored.
The people of Europe are happy to have their governments prioritize social spending over defense. Political leaders don't want to increase defense budgets because it damages their support. As far as I'm concerned, they should budget as they wish. But they shouldn't expect the US taxpayer to take up the slack.
From the World Economic Forum.
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/03/nato-defence-spending-europe-amer...
2
Paul, well said!
1
I agree.The authors of this piece seem to relish the portrait of Trump as a major Bully, and seem to view Angela Merkel's response as timid. I get the sense lately that much of The Times' reportage of Trump's behavior is what the news is about, that he's the bull in the china shop ; the big, blustery steam roller ,steamrolling our major allies and the world in general into oblivion. His idiotic ranting and creating chaos where none is needed is becoming exhausting. We need a feee press more than ever, but I fear that Trump's abhorrent behavior and 'up is down' reasoning is insinuating itself ever so dangerously into reportage that is less objective and actually aiding him in his efforts to create as much confusion as he can.
I understand supporters of Trump believe this bluster is his unique style that has allowed him to build up his empire. But since we have never seen his tax returns nor any real financial information, and given his reputation for hyperbole and outright lies...why should we believe him?
Perhaps there is just as much chance that Russia is putting pressure on Trump to do what Putin has not been able to accomplish alone. Putin would love to see the break up the Western alliance. An alliance that for the most part, has kept the peace in Europe and Russia for many years.
15
Was Merkel restrained in her criticisms because she is 'weakened' politically? Perhaps it is because prudence comes naturally to here, being arguably the most outstanding European 'statesman' in the last 20 years....
13
Crude mercantilism, Trump trying to sell more stuff and make more money. All presidents do it, but Trump the most, and without any other unifying vision of the world except making more money. He's an empty capitalist without another goal or vision of the world. His vision is "we win, you bow" and he's doing it to our best allies, which is going to seriously affect their companies desire to do business with "those Americans". If America couldn't make money curing cancer, Trump would have no interest.
There is more to being a leader, but not for Trump and that's where we are today.
6
Looking back at history and the whole 6 years between 1933 and 1939 leading to the rise of Nazism in Europe, it makes me extremely uncomfortable that the current elected leaders of western democracies are keeping quiet and not standing up against DT’’s bullying tirades and verbal (no longer only verbal) aggressions. Appeasement tactic (see Chamberlain in 1938) does nothing but delay a conflict, better react now. Things won’t get better over time, as DT is making progress in gaining power at home. I sincerely hope I am wrong.
25
Although I do not agree with all of Merkel's policies, I most certainly prefer her calm and factual approach to publuc statements to Trump's ranting prevarications.
4
If there are too many German cars in the US it's because they are status symbols for rich, or wanna-be-rich, people. Who exactly are the people driving Mercedes and BMW's? How many of them are seen in the Mar-a-Lago parking lots? How many in the parking garages of the various Trump Towers? At Trump golf courses? Such cars are popular because people who care about status want them, not because Germany is doing something sneaky trade-wise.
Fwiw, I wonder how many Mercedes in the US are made in their plant in Alabama? It's an awfully big manufacturing plant. Just sayin...
24
Merkel was raised on Russian dominance. She's used to it. That's probably why she doesn't mind buying USSR, I mean Russian, oil thereby giving them revenue, nice guys that they are, and the ability to make Germany do its will. East Germany wasn't enough for the Russians. Now they can go after the whole thing.
3
"The quiet rejoinder given by Ms. Merkel […] reflected her seeming reluctance to be the Western democratic voice that publicly stands up to him."
I do not think so. In fact, Mrs Merkel's answer is, by German standard, a rather hard rebuke. Everyone in Germany would be ashamed of being publicly rebuked in such a manner by a peer. With her rebuke, Mrs Merkel has made clear to everyone in Germany, and to everyone who knows German ways of behaving, that, to her, Mr Trump is not a peer but someone incapable of controlling his utterances - what he undoubtedly is. Mr Trump later positive assertions on the friendship between the US and Germany made him appear ridiculous to everyone in Germany.
21
Germany is of course still subject to military limitations by treaty. Unless the military were really to hoe into the beer and schnitzel , I think you would find 4% would put them well and truly over the top of those limitations ..... I wonder if anybody knew that he was going to say 4%. The Chancellor's muted response may have had something to do with the "Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany"
6
Trump, "NATO member all need to start paying their 2% share".
NATO, "Yes...er, but probably not until 2024 or later".
Oh yeah, the agreed amount is 2%, but someone thought it would be cool if the USA paid more, like 3.6%. Why? Because we can afford it.
Trump called them out on that, by saying it was around 4%.
The US total expenditure amounts to 67% of NATO's funds.
Trump called them out, by saying it was around 70%
Germany wants the US to keep 35,000 troops in Germany to help defend against the Soviets, er Russians. Meanwhile the Germans pay Russians billions for their gas.
Those billions support the Russian economy and help maintain it's armed forces. Duh!
EU still lying. "EU's combined military expenditure, far exceeds Russia defense budget".
First of all there is no EU military. Each nation have their own militaries and their own doctrine and may or may not join forces with one another depending on their own interests.
Individually, Russia's defense expenditure exceeds all of them, except the UK. Even if the member state were one day to have this imaginary "EU military", Russia has more than enough warheads to turn the UK and European continent into a wasteland.
Trump has been spot on, challenging NATO, the EU and Germany. Obama did the same thing, although not as pointedly.
It's too bad the Liberal media decided to rebuke everything Trump did, where they showed praise when Obama did it.
13
Yes, in 2014 Obama tried to persuade the EU to reduce its import of Russian energy, in response to the invasion of eastern Ukraine and the theft of Crimea.
The EU reduced its imports somewhat but started increasing again in 2017. The reduction wasn't anywhere near enough to have an impact on Russia.
Merkel refuses to do it because it would raise energy costs inside Germany, which would weaken her already weak support with German citizens.
2
"Germany wants the US to keep 35,000 troops in Germany to help defend against the Soviets, er Russians. Meanwhile the Germans pay Russians billions for their gas."
Yes, the Germans would like to have an insurance that US would pull their weight, as we would do for you.
But we don't want to keep 35,000 troops in Germany at all cost, it's the USA. Germany is an important and cheap military hub to get access to MENA region. Since Germans got knowledge about drone wars took action from German ground, Germans would actually love if the USA would be more focussed on the NATO purpose and not abusing bases for destabilizing MENA, which plays 100% against european interests.
3
The reason why Germany is now dependent on Russian gas is because Merkel shuttered all German nuclear power plants. One of 4 cardinal mistakes she made in addition to Greece, abolishing the draft and sticking her head in the sand with respect to the looming refugee crisis.
She is no 'leader'. She is an opportunist still riding on the prosperity she inherited while continuing to squander it.
I'm a bit confused---had someone at the Times decided in advance that Merkel would be reluctant to challenge Trump and then interpreted the facts accordingly? Both the Süddeutsche Zeitung and Guardian reported that she defended Germany admirably against Trump's outrageous accusations, and the Irish Times described her response as "robust". Or perhaps it's only outside of the U.S. that one can still argue forcefully without having to sink to Trump's level of discourse.
37
It is hard to fathom whether Mr. Trump stands for or against Russia. He seems to be having a personal romance with Putin but he resents others if they do the same. There is something deep seated that is at work here. Sooner or later, somebody is going to figure it out.
6
Doesn't take much manufactured chaos to fragment political cohesion. I hope this global collapse was worth the little bit of revenue FB etc. obtained from selling us out.
Irrespective of the comments, there is one clear fact-America provides an inordinate amount in financial support of NATO. (Obama, before Trump, made the same claim.) Second fact, Western Europe is the recipient and beneficiary of that funding. Third fact, the European union (pre-Brexit) comprises over 500M people with a combined GDP that comprises over 25% of the world economy. Exactly why is the USA funding the NATO operation? Western Europe is fully capable of providing its own defence. All American Presidents, including President Trump, have a "first duty" to the American people. Fulfill that duty! European NATO members carry equitable payments or America withdraws under Article 13 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The talking is about to come to an end.
3
Trump is doing more to influence the world faster then any president i have ever seen.
7
Yes. He has broken new ground in destroying everything he touches and lying whenever he opens his mouth. When the man entrusted with more power than any other does those things, it does change the world. The world is undeniably a worse place than it was two years ago. When the GOP finally breaks with Trump, the things that he is doing now will be the high crimes that compel his impeachment.
Ann:
The Mercedes factory in Alabama is the most profitable factory they have. They build cars there that they export, in addition to selling some in the US.
I wonder what the people who make a living working in that factory must be thinking when they hear that Delusional Donald attacks German car companies.
1
You're correct. He has resurrected the Ugly American. The rest of the world had thought America was getting more sophisticated, but sadly no.
1
Rex was right.
4
Mr. Trump, I'm formally requesting you to go back to your gilded tower in Manhattan, and return to your former life as a creature of the tabloids and reality TV. You don't belong on the world stage with our allies' leaders who are smart, who have civilized manners, who treat one another with respect and who are aware of their enormous responsibility to maintain the historic alliance in the face of totalitarian threats. Your open hostility to our friends does not represent American opinion or values. These countries came to our aid after 911, and their sons and daughters bled and died to defend us. And now your insult them, your make outrageous demands upon them which violates their national sovereignty and make us despised around the world. So, please return to where you came and leave the diplomacy, policy-making and world leadership to someone who can restore our nation to being a beacon of hope for the world.
47
Everything DJT does/says is to keep his base happy - they love it when our president embarrasses the U.S.
1
Angela Merkel is an educated polished lady, and she can’t bring herself to Trump’s level. Besides, Germany and other European countries contribute their fair share to NATO. They have increased their share in recent years, and stood by us when we needed them. Embarrassing behavior by President Trump.
52
Merkel is happily married to somebody respectable, Trump is not.
Merkel is somebody respectable, Trump is not.
6
Simply, Merkel is a grown up. Trump is a reality TV star. The press, the creators of Trump, itch for all interactions to become made for media events, always. Thankfully there are few people in the world to whom this doesn't apply. Whom, despite the US press best efforts to reduce these interactions into some type of high school ego contest, don't take the bait. "Trump vs. Merkel", is this really the NYTimes?
I live abroad and its fascinating and sometimes maddening, to see the coverage given to the provenly fleeting importance of Trump's opinion. Personally, I fault the NYTimes and WaPo for a good portion of the success of characters like Trump. World leaders are starting to ignore him, as you do with a whiny child. If we had responsible, mature media outlets, Trump would have never even been elected. For those living in the US, it must be hard as you are led to believe that everything he says and does is either monstrous or nation-saving, depending on your point of view. For those of us living in different places, Trump, like most of the focus of US media, is an embarrassment.
37
Merkel would probably be more popular at home if she stood up to Trump more directly.
3
Re: Our other agenda was to block Germany and Japan from re-militarizing as war powers
The fact is that the US pressured Germany after 1845 to rearm against the expressed will of the German people that was bitterly opposed to it. As were the French.
see e.g
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/polisci/faculty/trachtenberg/cv/jcws5.3creswe...
He gave them their tax cuts and one trillion and a half dollars, the Supreme Court and many Federal judges and very soon the powers that be will be through with him and he will be fired and shown the door like the hired help that he is. However, the damage will be done.
5
Maybe Merkel is not intimidated by Trump. Maybe she is just stunned at his stupidity, like many of us. Or maybe she knows it is a waste of time to try and reason with an idiot.
Trump is a disgrace to our nation. I hope Queen Elizabeth refuses to meet with him. Trump is unworthy of her.
41
To your point, Lincoln famously said: "Never argue with a fool. People might not be able to tell the difference."
It's my fervent wish that Her Highness puts Trump in his place. She has nothing to lose at this point and everything to gain.
I'm sure that being forced to accommodate Trump as a 'head of state' is the lowlight of her entire being.
If you read 4 newspapers daily, then you should understand that most of our relations with Russia revolve around the sale of natural gas. The sanctions package, approved against Russia and largely disdained by our European allies, at their core, had to do with forcing Europe to chose US rather than Russian natural gas suppliers. Entain the possibility that they are able to see through this, do not quite see Russia as the threat you do (its military expenditures are on par with France and it has an economy the size of Italy), and further, especially in the age of Trump, feel they require multiple suppliers for their natural resources. One could easily argue that the largest strategic threat to Europe is US action in the Middle East which caused the refugee crisis, which in turn has helped destabilize centrist governments.
23
It's what I've been saying. Europe should ally with Russia. We are now the enemy. We must be stopped. The world must unite against us.
2020 can’t come soon enough. While Trump is correct in his assertion that Germany does not pay their share into NATO, he is isolating our country from its allies which does not serve our greater interests.
19
POTUS is touting the US defense outlay, not mentioning that it is worldwide in scope. I have not seen any numbers on how our budget is split. Would be interesting to see how much of our budget goes to NATO.
He boils things down into simplistic terms in a complicated world.
11
The US pays 22% of the NATO budget, Germany 16%. Hence in total, 78% are paid by the other partners. Needless to say that none of them is in arrears.
2
So that even this, the proportions of actual NATO spending by it's respective members, is not immune to Trump's lying.
1
If it isn't obvious to any observer that there is a high probability that Donald Trump has been bought and paid for by the Russians, then I feel sorry for you. There just aren't that many other explanations for why an American Presidant would light a torch to one of the key institurions that has kept us safe since the end of WW II. Trump can't find straw men to knock down fast enough. This is not right.
75
Let us also consider the fact that both Bush and Obama demanded the European government members of NATO pay their fair share. Those entreaties were ignored by most members. So now Trump is calling them out and publicly shaming them in order to get them to comply and that’s lighting a torch? I fail to see how standing up for our country is now considered a bad thing. We have been complacent and allowed our so called allies to take full advantage of us. I say no longer. If the members of NATO are unwilling to carry their fair share them then the organization is a failure and should be abandoned.
3
GERMANY is in cahoots with Russia??????? Projecting much? How utterly outrageous this creep is. I couldn’t even stand to watch it.
Someone needs to get Kelley some anti-squirm pills stat! Either that or an eject button.
24
What the heck is the matter with our elected representatives?
Why are they willing to let a nutcase like Trump hijack our government? Destroy our relationships with our allies? Kowtow to dictators? Bather lies about anything that comes to mind? What are they afraid of? Or is this destruction really what they want?
Whatever your political leanings, this man is just plain wrong on too many levels to contemplate.
GET HIM OUT!
49
Hope the GOP base is proud, Chief Squirrel Cage just humiliated himself again. But he also humiliated the United States of America. How much longer will the world have to endure this fool? One answer is, until Republicans snap out of it, or can they? At this point most in the house could be charged with treason while many in the Senate are guilty too. As for Trump, he has it backward, he is Russia's captive.
61
It is a well established tactic by the right to accuse your opponent of what you yourself are guilty of.
I'm sure by now everyone at the head of any European country has figured out that the current POTUS is Putin's attack puppy. The treason is so blatant, it's terrifying that the U.S. congress, in particular Republicans, are doing nothing to stop this.
100
The GOP sits, silently, complicitly.
So, why do we have troops stationed in Germany?
8
We have troops in Europe to protect Europe because if Europe falls to Russia what would happen to the US. We were isolationist before WWI and WWII - what was the result?
15
Frank,
A significant number of our troops in Germany perform support roles for our efforts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The large air base at Ramstein is a great example of this. Many logistics flights to and from Africa, Iraq, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries use this base to refuel and stage from.
Additionally, the large military hospital at Landstuhl provides our service members with modern, full service medical care a relatively short flight away from the current combat zones. A lot of our service members owe their lives to the care they've received there since 9/11.
Without those bases, our ability to resupply our forces, provide first class medical care and project power in the region diminishes. Any other questions?
7
U.S. troops are in Europe to protect U.S. economic interests. Each country that falls under Russian control is potentially one less buyer of U.S. goods and one less source of energy and other desirable imports to the U.S.
4
I read 4 major newspapers daily and can’t recall an article about the Nord Stream 2 deal that helps bankroll Russian antics around the globe. Shame on Germany.
NATO has become 300 million people (USA) protecting 500 million people (Europe) from 145 million (Russia), while Europe runs a trade surplus with us.
13
It seems nearly all US presidents have pressured and cajoled the Europeans to boost their military budgets. So we Americans might all agree on that goal without necessarily agreeing with Trump's tactics to achieve it.
But you vastly overstate the case when you portray the US doing all the defending of Europe and them doing none of it for themselves. The US has about 90,000 military personnel stationed in Europe; the major NATO countries have over 1.5 million men and women in their armed forces. The combined air forces of our European NATO allies, some of which are highly capable, exceed Russia's. The UK and France also have their own nuclear forces. It's not as one-sided as you make it sound.
33
What you are writing makes zero sense. As a dual citizen of the US and Germany I would also like to point out that Germany currently spends massive amounts on refugees that have been caused by decades of instability in the Middle East and Africa that were in no small part the result of U.S. foreign policy. How about the US participates in carrying the cost of that?
11
Germany is importing gas from Russia fir decades, started in the 80ies, nothing new here. Russian gas is part of the energy mic, it's share about on par with the amout of gas from NL and NOR that Germany imports. The gas that will go through that new pipeline is not exclusively for Germany, but a large portion is for other countries, mainly FR
The US are unhappy because this pipeline limits its chances to sell their expensive LPG to Germany. Some Eastern European are unhappy, because they lose out on earning transit fees as with the current pipeline.
If you read as many newspapers as you say you do, you should know all if this. Either you read the wrong ones, or you only go for their sport sections I suspect
The Chancellor was not reluctant to stand up to Trump. She has too much class to come down to his level.
54
As Germany ramps up user of alternative energy to become more energy independent, Trump taxes solar panels from China and tries to throw his weight around with the Middle East to lower U.S. oil and gas prices. Who's being held hostage?
19
The well thought out lady vs the uninformed, petulant so called "president".
11
Wow....Trump and the gop really are working for Russia. Remember when Ryan said “keep it in the family “
This is treasonous
23
I can't believe Trump is our president! It's bound to leave a lasting stain on the United States' standing in the world. I mean, just look what he did here. Trump seems to be saying - I don't care if Putin invades sovereign nations, threatening world peace! Why not, Mr. Trump? Because Germany buys gas from Russia! It's almost like some very, very dimwitted child who is making you yawn a thousand times deluding himself that he is outwitting you! :))))
18
Wow! The Russian implant now considers it his obligation to scold others for importing goods from Russia. Isn't this guy Trump a "Russian Gas Import" himself? Small wonder he stinks.
11
Angela Merkel has poise and class, trump does not. I am glad that she dos=es not stoop to his level, My apologies to her, the German people and the other NATO members, trump does not speak for many of us Americans.
32
I will second what Steve said. MILLIONS of Americans are horrified and humiliated he is President. He does not speak for MILLIONS of us (I want to emphasize that). We MILLIONS intend to go to the Polls to oust him in 2020. And if we could we would impeach him now.
4
Ha ha ha, is Angela Merkel the Neville Chamberlain in this situation? Who gets Italy this time?
3
The man makes me ashamed to be an American. What a sad excuse for a human being.
70
So can anyone explain why American cars are hard to find in Germany and German cars easily found here? Will the nytimes verify the numbers? If the numbers are seriously in Germany's favor are you happy with such an arrangement?
1.2 percent? In the fake news media Germany is attending NATO maneuvers using broom handles painted black because rifles weren't available. Embarrassing if it were true. Can the nytimes verify?
In other fake news (and netflix) Germany is justifying its behavior in WW2 saying Americans were war criminals bombing their cities and killing soldier trying to surrender.
5
JoeG, can you explain why the rest of the world would want to buy American cars? As a whole they are unreliable and do not get competitive gas mileage - and are larger than normal-sized European cars.
2
pmp.masWhy do US cars sell badly in Europe?
For sure it's not because of the 10% tariff the EU levies on all imported cars, including those from Japan and S.Korea.Actually, these countries are doing very well selling their cars here (like in the US). The reason is, that the cars produced by US carmakers do not match with the demands of Europeans. In many cities the roads are small, because those places were founded at times when horse chariots were the largest vehicles around. Space, specifically parking space, is scarce, so it is difficult to park oversize cars. Most importantly, fuel is expensive and everyone looks at the mileage. US cars are gas guzzlers, not a great thing here. Lastly, GM just sold Opel to Renault PSA, so there is only Ford remaing as the sole car maker with European production sites, whereas numerous asian car makers produce in Europe as well.
Mercedes, VW and BMW do produce cars in the US, so many of those "German" cars in the US that IQ 45 complains about are not imported, but produced locally. Lastly, US buyers do appreciate quality cars, and German and JP/SK cars seem to be superior to US cars in this regard. At the end, the US car buyers are free to choose which cars they want to buy.
As evidenced by the size of this reply a short question somtimes leads to a long answer. Unfortunately Trump's attention span (so I hear) is very limited, so he his unable to build a balanced view. Sad.
5
There are two main reasons why american cars are hard to find in germany: their quality is bad. And they are way to big and gas guzzling.
German soldiers die in Afghanistan. Because the US was attacked.
1
Trump's pick to run the DOJ criminal division once worked for Russia's Alfa Bank. Tell me again about who's the Captive of Russia. Brian A. Benczkowski is now also in line to replace Rod Rosenstein when that shoe drops. "Tell me about the rabbits, George"
24
I don't really have time to keep telling people the Buffoon is just that. He is using all of America to push is private greedy agenda. Ms Merkel is weakened and more energy taken dealing with Trum's alternative Universe will only weaken her more at home.
I can only hope that the good people in Germany can recognize what is happening and rally to her side against the Buffoon and his surrogates. Trump is not a friend to anyone except Trump and Russia. Germany, under Ch Merkel, has proven to be a trusted ally to the people of the US and the entire EU. She alone stood steadfast to help Greece, Italy and Spain recover from their ruinous finaces with bad debts they could not pay. She did NOT GIVE them money but made money available at a rate they could responsibly pay back without going broke, killing themselves economically.
Those are the facts supporting Ms Merkel, PhD, and her sound wisdom from the tirades of the know nothing Idiot in Chief causing trade wars across the planet.
35
Europe, welcome to our world of insane Trump.
19
He is an obvious traitor. The GOP is the Government of Putin.
40
How do you stop a bully?
Stand up to him
Watch him back down so fast your heads does 360s
21
Angela Merkel, has a doctorate in quantum physics .... Trump owned the Miss Universe pageant and went backstage to grope young girls. She probably hates being anywhere near that ignoramas. I would.
122
"...a doctorate in quantum physics..."
I fail to see what an advanced degree in an excruciatingly narrow field that involves absolutely no human interaction or normative values has to do with leading a nation. No doubt she is highly adept at the manipulation of abstract symbols, but the task of political leadership is not centered on the manipulation of abstract symbols. In the realm of academic credentials, I would be more impressed by someone with a BA in Liberal Studies.
4
Tyng98,
But Russia didn't start WWI or WWII; Germany did. And the Franco-Prussian War before that. Europe has Russia outmanned 4:1 with a combined economy that is 10X larger than that of Russia. And there is no indication that Russia intends to return to Berlin.
Note to Chancellor Merkel: Germany is now united and free because for 50 years the United States stood toe-to-toe with the Soviet Union through President Kennedy's "hard and bitter peace", and we broke them. Germany was present.
Your post is unresponsive to the operational question which is, "Why is the US putting more blood and treasure on the line to defend Europe than many (not all) of the European nations are?"
I deployed with many NATO and other allies in 1990-91 and again in 2003 and I salute them. Many gave much, some gave little, a few gave nothing, but they all must now do more.
4
“If we’ve got collective defense, it means that everybody’s got to chip in, and I have had some concerns about a diminished level of defense spending among some of our partners in NATO. Not all, but many,” President Barack Obama Traitor! Russian Agent! Bully! Fool! Impeach! Protest!
5
Reagan and Bush Sr. and Clinton and Bush Jr. also chided NATO countries to increase their defense spending, no doubt because the primary beneficiaries of that increased spending would be US Defense contractors.
1
And in 2014 they all agreed to increase spending.
The USA set its own percentage. The countries have all increased spending but Trump wants to demand new deadlines and spending targets for other nations.
4
I’d say it’s because American autos are poorly made and use to much fuel.
2
Trump often says plainly stupid things as well as things intended to demean people as well as outright lies, without any shame and in fact with confident pride. But one man did get to him in public. At the Correspondences Dinner in 2011, Barack Obama roasted him while him sat stone faced as many people laughed. He had been denigrating Obama with his ‘birthed’ nonsense for years. He was fine when he was disparaging Obama but some witty comments in return humiliated him.
48
And in at least some part thanks to those witty remarks, he is President of the United States. Was it worth it?
1
They laughed not because they got enjoyment out of seeing Trump humiliated but because at the Correspondent's Dinner insults are handed out as a form of entertainment. The Correspondent's Dinner and those who attend are not meant to be taken seriously.
3
Earth to GOP (in Congress, the Administration, and elsewhere): Wake up!!!!
Trump is Putin's puppet and you are doing NOTHING TO SAVE THE USA.
15
Trump's days are numbered and he knows it. This is one scared jack rabbit.
9
The U.S. only spends 3.5% of its entire GDP on our global Military Defense, and that includes NATO spending. Actual dollars to NATO are under 1% of US GDP.
That you buy Trumps lies without bothering to actually check our budget expenditures for yourself tells us all we need to know about your intentional blindness
14
The President of the United States is a crude, uncouth lout, and I deeply regret that he is "the face of America" today and for the next 2-1/2 years. In a world so much in need of smart, sensitive, generous, creative leaders, he continues to set new "lows" with his brutal, demeaning, self-centered, and rude behavior.
This is what we elected to represent us in the capitols of the world, and to interact with leaders who actually DO know how to interact with civility and cooperation with others.
I am ashamed for the United States.
17
Our European allies should simply give Trump the silent treatment. It would drive him insane.
17
By now the entire planet gets that we have a clown for a president. By almost every measure the average German has a safer, more prosperous life, with greater opportunity than the average American. We’re both part of NATO. Germany spends 2% of GDP on defense. The U.S. spends 6% if you include the VA, intelligence agencies, Homeland Security, and DoE (nukes). So, who has the bloated defense establishment?
My favorite example of U.S. inefficiency, policing. The U.S. has over 17,000 police agencies, Germany has 16 state police agencies, who provide almost all law enforcement function.
6
"By almost every measure the average German has a safer, more prosperous life, with greater opportunity than the average American."
And that German lifestyle is funded and defended by average American taxpayers and service personnel.
Anyone else see what is wrong with this picture?
2
So Trump points out the blindingly obvious fact that as Germany is bankrolling the Kremlin by relying on Russia for 60% of its energy supplies, Germany must not feel remotely threatened by the Russians, and in fact Germany clearly regards Putin as a sound and reliable partner, so maybe it's time to re-examine this whole NATO boondoggle.
And Trump is the crazy guy here?
Seems perfectly logical to me.
2
In response to Bill , Tucson who writs
Tucson7h ago
.. Russia on the other hand, has no other option for the sale of its natural gas than Germany
Not so
FT (Financial Times of London) 4/3/2018, head line
Russia’s $55bn pipeline gamble on China’s demand for gas
Putin pivots to Beijing with biggest energy project since fall of Soviet Union
"https://ig.ft.com/gazprom-pipeline-power-of-siberia/"
China , with 1.5 Billion, is a far larger market than 81 million Germany, and China's need for clean(er) gas than its dirty coal is increasing exponentially
4
Looks like every politician abroad is getting their turn of tirades from Trumpista!
Merkel lived a charmed life in East Germany passing back and forth to the west frequently.
She was merely an observer of East German life. Not a full participant.
2
Deflection has been the standard republican tactic for decades. Theory is autobiography.
6
And the spineless, gutless sponges in Congress pass non-binding resolutions in an attempt to balance out the Trump rants. Weren't Mattis, Kelly, Hutchinson and Pompeo embarrassed by that outburst? I may not agree with them on all policy, but they were humiliated by their brainless, incoherent leader.
11
Germans were mean and tough and nasty on Greece a few years ago asking them to pay up their bills. I'm not shedding tears on the issue that Trump is being mean and tough and nasty on Germany now, even if for other kinds of bills. Their turn to be on the other side of the table. And true, after al, they are the wealthiest country in Europe.
On the other hand, these European boys and Merkel cannot cower and hide under the table to avoid the bully's punches. If they do not want to engage him, at least they should slyly laugh at him and wink wink among themselves. Are they really intimidated by this caricature of an alpha man?
4
It’s appalling how all those leaders are afraid to stand up to the insults inflicted on them by our vulgar, crude , infantile president.
15
Frau Dr. Merkel shouldn't feel intimidated by the ignorant brute. If Germany bends to the immoral narcissist, it will remind everyone with some knowledge of history what happened to GB when Chamberlain bent to that other great racist in the XX Century. Cowardice in confronting immoral bullies has a horrible price.
8
This motivates me to buy Volkswagen. Preferably one assembled in Mexico or Germany.
16
I don’t they’re at all afraid to stand up to Trump. They’re just waiting him out. What’s the point in engaging in an argument with a bully?
1
President Trump knows Russia controls Germany, because Vladimir Putin told him so while he was giving him his orders for the day.
9
“I’m going to tell NATO — you got to start paying your bills.”
Are you kidding? From the man who is notorious for not paying his bills?
31
You know what is best about Merkel ?
We dont ever get to see her unelected Husband, he is doing his own thing whatever that is, i dont know. Wunderbar.
4
I'm Dutch but support fully the German Chancellor Mrs. Merkel in her reactions towards your President, which I recognise and understand. Her quiet and clever responses towards this primitive bully and mostly un- informed narcist Trump is her far-reaching experience with such insulting macho-guys. She is the one of the current leaders who knows e.g. Putin best and understands that very different political world-view and autocratic and corrupt methods. Trump is blundering on like the elephant in the china shop. (Yes, he will do that in China too...) Never seen or heard a USA president who is so stupidly and willingly defending far-right populists, horrid crypto-fascist tendencies in e.g. Poland or Hungary and seems to be starstruck by a very nasty and dangerous man and country: Putin in Russia. Trump is playing with fire and it seems he is very willing, just for his own sake and supporters, to endanger our -combined!-hard-fought democratic values and rather precarious balance in Europe.(and by the way, without any, even rudimentary, manners at all.) This man is weakening this all from the inside now! That is not the work of an ally at all, on the contrary. Get rid of him and the whole lot around him lot a.s.a.p. please!
45
When your president says "captive of Russia", one wonders if he is "projecting" himself.
14
Merkel is, to quote Times' bestseller Ann Coulter, the "affable Eva Braun" of far leftist liberalism. She wouldn't dare stand up to a real leader because none exist in the EU.
2
Maybe Merkel should have asked him when will he end his dependence on Russia transporting his astronauts to the International Space Station.
7
Has anyone else noticed that in what seems to be at least 95% of the many, many photos taken of him each day, Trump’s mouth is not only hanging open, but is flapping in the breeze? He would be far better off shutting his pie hole and listening to others at least 50% or the time. Who knows, he might actually learn something!
9
Trump is an insult to dignity, not just American dignity or the dignity is the presidency, or European dignity, but to the very concept of dignity.
Treating him or his administration with dignity is like apologizing to a dead tiger that you had to kill or it would've killed you. It's ridiculous, Trump doesn't respect dignity, he sees it as a weakness, as a tool, as a weapon, but NEVER as a constraint upon his words or deeds.
5
Trump sure talked tough about Merkle during the NATO breakfast which Merkle didn't attend. But later in a face to face with Merkle he acted like the wimp he actually is and never brought up the energy subject. Expect his next blast to come from AF 1 cruising at 30000 feet.
9
So Ms. Merkel makes our President "uncomfortable."
GOOD! PRAISE THE LORD!
Take a leaf from her book, you Democrats. Or indeed--you Republicans. Those who have retained a SPINAL COLUMN. Willing to challenge or confront the boor in whose tiny hands rest the fortunes of the United States.
Without raising your voice--without a telltale reddening of the face--without gesturing wildly--without stabbing at someone's chest or face with an angry forefinger. . . .
. . . .MAKE THE GUY UNCOMFORTABLE.
Keep your cool. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Speak simply (this is not a guy with an enormous vocabulary) but forcefully and directly. And. . . .
. . .FACE DOWN THE BULLY. DON'T BE INTIMIDATED!
How my heart goes out to these Europeans! God help them.
God help US!
At the mercy of this dreadful man. . . . .
. . . .and the spaniels, the lapdogs that support him. . .
. ..no no! ENABLE him.. . . .
. . .in Congress. And elsewhere.
I write my wrathful screeds, New York Times. . .
. .so as not to run out into the street screaming. Saying,
"This is not US!. This man is not US. This man does not represent WHO we are or WHAT we are.
" He is, rather--a frightful aberration. A wart as it were on the face of American politics.
"We have NEVER!--no, NEVER!--had a President like this.
"Pray God he be the last. We cannot AFFORD another!"
Hang tough, Europeans. Hang tough.
8
The President is a loudmouthed boor. International diplomacy , or even common courtesy, does not occur to him.
13
Growing up I was told "Wer ueberzeugen will muss leise sprechen." Speak softly if you want to be convincing. I don't see why Merkel should be criticized for not engaging in harsh back and forth with 45. It seems somehow beneath her to go there. What would be accomplished? She'd probably be criticized for being a shrill female.
13
Trump, politically weakened at home, lashes out at NATO.
7
Responding to Trump with the same kind of blow hard, rude, thoughtless bluster he uses is a waste of breath. Angela Merkel and other EU leaders cannot get rid of Trump by "becoming" him. I don't think her calm reply is a sign of political weakness.
13
Unfortunately subtlety, however cogent, is a wasted effort on that bit brain of Trump's. I have my doubts that Trump is even aware that the GDR was once occupied by Soviet troops.
3
whomever told you that the reason Trump wants the pipeline to be a problem is to improve US LNG sales is woefully ignorant about our production.
We produce less than 1% of the Global Supply and import more than 90% of the LNG we use in our own nation. WE have no capacity to supply other nations. We have 11 plants that process incoming LNG and only 1 of those an process LNG for export.
Trump is buffoon but sales of U.S. LNG is not his motivation. He is trying to bully and bluster NATO to satisfy his base on promises he made campaigning. Factless claims that the chaos crowd cheers about.
6
Trump is a man with no country.
His only allegiance is to his family's wealth.
He whines and complains about how "VERY UNFAIR" NATO is while his underlings look uncomfortably at their feet.
We Americans elected a man who is ignorant of economics, history, science, and good manners.
He is Putin's faithful and obedient Poodle.
13
Very sad that a rich bully from Queens DeYork is on the world stage and acting such a fool.Elections have consequences and once the midterms come we can stem the tide of this insanity. A man who never served his country and now wants to destroy the world
5
It is laughable that Donald Trump. who has allegedly been money launder money for Russian oligarchs for several years, and who is Putin's lap dog, had the nerve to say that Germany is under control of Russia.
Simply unbelievable for everyone except for Trump.
16
But we all know that Trump accuses others of what he has been accused. This is what he has done over and over again. What a weird guy he is!
What is wrong with people? Europeans still cant seem to tear themselves away from dependence on the US. World War 2 ended 75 years ago!! Trump is a big bully and bullies always cower and back down when confronted. Trump throws out made up figures and gibberish and if confronted, he cowers. That's what these European leaders need to do. Of course, Americans need to confront his pill popping behavior and the media is reluctant to go there. Our democracy is at stake.
3
The NYT says that Trump is a captive of Russia. Now Trump the captive has accusations of Germany being captive of Russia. Who is next? How many of us are captive to Russia?
5
As usual, Trump is projecting. "You're the puppet! You're the puppet!"
6
Trump is one tenth the person Merkel is.
7
Having Trump as President is like having an abusive parent. I'm embarassed by him and have completely tuned him out. Thankfully there are leaders like Merkel with the ability to parry his ignorant remarks.
16
His rhetoric is more about rallying the trumpettes than commenting to the subject.
3
The classic bully and abuser.
No wonder his wife has separate room and her own life and her parents around to protect her.
6
Suggestion to Mr T.... Spend your "tremendous" (one of your favorite words) energies fixing results of the "horrible" (another one of your favorite words!) border fiasco you created. Suggest you VERY quickly ensure that some of the "tremendous" (there is again!) funds the USA government has, are spent on locating ALL the "detained" (locked-up) children and unite them with their parents with whom they were brought across the border into the great old USA. I don't really understand the "logic" (or lack thereof) you use. Mr T. You do love to spend your energy building up your own ego....not fixing one of many problems you have created. Next up...market crashes caused by the trade war you incited (ignited).
4
I'm sorry but manners and decorum do matter in diplomacy--and trump doesn't have a shred of grace. I feel sorry for those who have to shake his slimy hand or listen to his barking or sit so close that the comb-over comes in view.
14
Germany relies on Russian gas.
And Trump replies on 75,000 coal miners, and Putin and Russia, to win an election.
7
The smart republicans said that preserving the conservative Supreme Court wasn’t worth electing trump. E.g., David Frum in the Atlantic.
Today’s display in Brussels demonstrates the absolute truth of that observation.
8
Point counter Point:
1) Germany does not spend enough on their Military, only about 1 % of GDP USA spends so much more.
2) Germany does not pay enough dues to NATO
3) The new Russia-Germany gas pipeline is unacceptable and results in Russian control over Germany.
1) History shows that Germany has repeatedly strongly funded the military with no hesitation to spend and use military power. Clearly Germany more than most nation's should be wary of a strong-man authoritarian nationalistic military.
And if Germany spends more on defense.. They will buy German military production.. not USA.
2) The NATO alliance collectively and with USA leadership brought about unparalleled prosperity which greatly benefited both the USA and Europe. When the USSR collapsed East Germany also dissolved and was reunited with West Germany. So far West Germany has spent 1.9 Trillion USD $... And even to this year is spending money to support and rebuild East Germany... Seems like Germany is paying it's NATO dues...USA did not pay...
3) Exactly whom is against the Russia-Germany Gas pipeline and why ???... This appears to be strictly a business issue. Poland and Ukraine are against this pipeline solely because it diminishes the economic potential of the existing pipelines that run across Polish and Urkainian land. Trump is against it strictly because he wants to sell USA gas. So it's all about business.
3
NATO countries have paid far more than their share measures by their troops' lives. NATO came to our aid after 9/11 in Iraq and Afghanistan.
8
This piece should be in the opinion section. Merkel's answer was a jab at Trump and his connection to Russia. Merkel is far smarter than most politicians in office and she doesn't have to be loud to take someone down. I wish reporters would just report rather than add in their own opinions. This kind of article is why people don't trust the news. We deserve better, NY Times.
19
Putin has wanted the dissolution of NATO and worked to elect TRump so Trump is obey his wishes. Putin will give Trump an A+ for his efforts to destroy NATO. He may also forgive some of Trump's debt to the Russian oligarchs. Well done all you Trump supporters!
6
C'mon Angela! Look him in the eyes and tell him how you feel about him! When will world leaders confront him and put him in his place?
4
Why should they? "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
Being combative, denigrating, and crude is not and never will be traits of real leaders.
And the Trumpet is a disgrace to the world; an embarrassment to the United States.
Not my prezzz i dunce! Why is he still occupying the White House?
5
One has to wonder if Angela Merkel was instead "Andrew Merkel", the 6' 4" physically imposing Chancellor of Germany, would our misogynistic, bullying Fake President dare to directly disparage "Mr. Merkel" in public, to his face? Or, would the cowardly Trump have his servant, John Kelly, do it in a phone call?
5
Merkel should stand up to Trump, loudly and proudly. It's a political winner, and it's the right thing to do; Trump is an agent of Putin. Call the cur out!
7
“Captive” of Russia.
This is a dead giveaway to be sure !
Trump always accuses others of what he himself is.
5
It does not matter what you define as high crime and misdemeanors as long as the R's in Congress continue to spinelessly bow down to Trump's fear mongering and chaos campaigns.
4
Can we trade Trump for Merckel? Only I wouldn't wish that on the Germans.
6
Germany gets roughly the share of it's energy from Russia as America gets from Saudia Arabia.
4
Peter Strzok (the FBI chief of counter-intelligence who busted the "illegals" Russian Intelligence had embedded in the US and Canada) had reason to believe Donald Trump was colluding with Russia, and receiving their help during the 2016 Primaries and Presidential Election. This is the basis of Republican outrage. Meanwhile, Trump is busy trying to blow up NATO. Looks like a spy, acts like a spy, is a traitor. Time to meet with his chief Control: Putin. Interesting timing that Strzok will be speaking before the Republican Fake Intelligence window dressing committee tomorrow. Be careful what you pray for Republican hypocrites. You may yet get what's coming to you.
17
I should like him to stay abroad for a while. He could stay in Moscow until 2020. Then on to Siberia.
10
I wonder how strong the NYT believes its position is on this NATO matter. Yes, we can post our thoughts here, but not on their editorial on the same subject, nor on two Op Eds. Do they think one wins the point by printing a whole bunch of article that rely on straw men? It is very, very simple: there is not ONE good reason why we should be carrying Europe in their defense against Russia. Not ONE.
No wonder Obama was "beloved"by the Europeans--he gave them until 2024 t pay a fraction of what we pay. How about now? He would scarcely have been so beloved had he said:
"Listen up, the American taxpayer can't wait until 2024; he's tired; he's burdened; he's got his own problems. If you value NATO and think it is important for your defense, its high time you put your money where your mouth is."
2
Most of the US spending for NATO is going to the US companies and enrich their stock holders! This is monkey money which favours the US weapon industry.
Putin's investment in the 2016 presidential election is paying off.
4
'Captive to Russia' ? Sounds like Trump and Germany are two peas in a pod.
1
Tony Soprano had more finesse and manners than this guy.
When will it end ?
He is a disgrace.
Most americans did not vote for him.
The Congress ( bought-and-paid-for-by-NRA/Kochs) stays mute
VOTE in 4 months.
16
Seriously, the weakest bully reveals his biggest fear by what he says. When trump accuses Germany of being a hostage to Russia, the translation is that he is a hostage to Russia.
17
Kudos to Trump for standing up to Germany. Germany is quite wealthy, mainly because they don't have to take any leadership role in the world or even in Europe. Trump is reminding Merkel that the free ride is over. It's about time Germany starts paying for defense and let US solve its domestic economic issues. The best thing may be that even if Trump behaves like a jerk, what da heck is Germany going to do about it? Germany appears to be only concerned about themselves and that's their right. But depending on US to foot the bill on defense means US can bully them. It's good to know that Trump is picking fights with all nations that have trade advantage over US. This may be one of few things that Trump did well as president.
2
There is a reason Germany does so well. It is a nation of bright, hardworking, responsible people.
It would appear that you're making his argument for him. What good does NATO do? Why does Germany spend at all?
So, Trump, the guy who dodged the draft when it was his turn to serve, is demanding that countries who had two world wars fought of their soil, increase their military spending ? You just can't make this stuff up.
9
Trump blusters and inflames in his ravings to our our allies for an audience of one, Putin. The Donald is a paid performer the only time a president of this nation has been owned and in full service to a foreign foe. Please hurry Mr. Mueller before we lose all sovereignty as a nation and are bought and paid with jackboots fully implanted in our once blessed home..
4
I'm sure Merkel is trying with every fiber in her body to be cordial to Trump. But growing up in East Germany she has got to understand the mind of an authoritarian. If she had the power to strike back at the East German leadership she would have done so. Now she is being humiliated by our authoritarian and she must stike back hard against the know nothing buffoon. Stop holding back Merkel. The civilized world is with you.
10
Merkel is a Trump nightmare: a Ph.D holding, quadralingual leader with 13 years experience at the top.
And a woman.
It is a wonder that DT didn't stroke out.
8
Thank you for this insightful comment.
2
Trump's ignorance is exceeded only by his disgraceful behavior. If there is a rationale, it is to play to his base. His attacks and accusations makes it impossible for our allies to accommodate to his demands.
4
“We have a very, very good relationship... we have a tremendous relationship....” Mr. Trump[et] said. “We’re having a great meeting... discussing expenditure... we’re talking... “tremendous success,” ... “I believe... increase and lots of other things will increase, but we’ll see what happens.”
Note the key words of the world's most boastful megalomaniac. I would love to know how many times the buffoon Trumpet has used the words "tremendous," "very, very good (or great)," and then ends with "we'll see what happens" on account of his very, very poor grasp of what it takes to cooperate and collaborate with real leaders. There is never any focus on what the Trumpet expects to achieve through his bully tactics--or possibly gentlemanly exchanges of ideas (LOL.)
The Trumpet underestimates the leadership and power of Merkel and May. I wonder why........ Is it that he can't control them?
O Lord, for how much longer must the world suffer through the prezzz i duncy of the Trumpet?
8
The difference between Obama's complaints about German spending on NATO and Trump's complaints is that Obama actually was concerned about German spending on NATO. Trump cares no more about that than about anything else. He just wants to be disruptive and to weaken the west in general and Merkel in particular as much as possible. Or rather, he doesn't care about the West either, for good or for ill. He just loves being the disruptive center of attention, and maybe also the sight of a female politician in a pants suit seems to make him even crazier than he already is so he's got to attack her. But mainly he just wants Vlad to keep those videotapes under wraps and not call in the Russian loans while he tries to fend off Mueller, the NYS AG, etc.
17
In large part, I think Trump's attitude is because Merkel is a WOMAN. Trump hates successful women, viv a vis e.g., Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Warren and others. He hates to up-staged by women, especially those who have demonstrated professional competence. Those "uppity" women make Trump look bad because, after all, he truly is. His name is actually an acronym: The Russian's Ultimate Moscow Puppet -- T R U M P.
18
The most interesting was left out : Putin "bought" former Chancellor Schroeder to work for Russia
From the Washington Post 8/12/2017
"He used to rule Germany. Now, he oversees Russian energy companies and lashes out at the U.S."
Key quotes
"For seven years, Gerhard Schröder was the leader of the most populous democracy in Western Europe. He modernized the country's social security system, angered George W. Bush by refusing to participate in the invasion of Iraq and was only narrowly ousted in an election defeat to Angela Merkel in 2005.
His astonishing career in the Russian energy industry reached new heights this week when the former chancellor was nominated for a position as an independent director on the board of Rosneft, Russia's largest oil company — and one in which the Kremlin also holds a controlling stake. "
The US model, selling access to political power by former heads of Government [1] reached Germany [2]
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/08/08/he-used-to-...
[2] https://www.economist.com/united-states/2016/10/01/bill-and-hillary-inc.
3
And in the U.S? On any day ever?
1
We support you, Chancellor Merkel.
We renounce "Trump", the illegitimate thing occupying the white house unconstitutionally.
8
This is not a truth teller. This is a bully. The US is the most powerful country in the world, and he's the president of the US. If people don't band together to stand up to him, it's over.
10
What is obvious : Trump is owned by Putin.....
I think everyone sitting at this table is aware of this.
So....hopefully we will soon see the end of this miserable
era of the worst administration in US history.
11
“We have to talk about the billions and billions of dollars that’s being paid to the country (by Germany) we’re supposed to be protecting you against.”
--------------
Pretty much sums up why NATO has lost its raison-d'etre.
Just imagine Greece spends 2.7% of its GDP on defense because it is threatened by Turkey (spends 1.8% of its GDP on defense), another NATO member.
Does NATO make sense to anyone when you get to the bottom of it?
#ENDTHEMADNESS
2
NATO makes sense to everyone but Russia and Russian stooges
2
There is no need to respond to Trump - it is best to let him bluster on and when he's done blathering, change the topic to something else so he knows he is being ignored. Merkel has managed to disabuse many blatantly sexist colleagues of any notion of wielding power over her by bullying her. Trump is a circus act - he will be gone in time. The major concern for the West is whether the fickle and poorly educated Amercian public can be trusted with democracy and if they know how to elect a worthy leader. Trump is but a symptom of a long festering problem with American people.
23
He's intimidated. By every measure of personal intelligence, geopolitical knowledge, leadership ability and job training, he KNOWS he's the most inferior person in the room ... likely including the assistants and maybe the waiters. If he had a tail it would be between his legs while he's growling at anyone who gets near.
It's a curious thing to watch a "President" of the United States behaving like that ... I'd be concerned if his misbehavior wasn't SO OBVIOUS ... these "real" World Leaders are fully aware of what they're watching. They've basically discounted him as a serious player. Unfortunately, they are also discounting Trump's advisors who have been telling them "don't worry, even if Trump isn't, America is still behind you" ... reassurances don't mean much coming from underlings.
10
I loved it. Obama made the same argument (just weaker), not that this matters to the resistance.
It is somewhat ironic that so many people who buy into that protest must be abrasive to get attention and accomplish anything, complain when Trump applies it to foreign policy. I have to say, I sense John Bolton's hand in this. The direct style seems like him. All the complaints about Trump and lack of honesty - why is it so hard to hear someone tell the truth to other countries? Does diplomacy have to be obsequious?
Did people not hear agreement with Trump at the meeting and also hear him given credit for his leadership. Trump immediately responded - "They won't print that," referring to the media, and of course he was right. Not only won't they, but they seem to only want to highlight criticism of it. Of course, he's right.
I have criticized Trump since, I believe, 2009 when he really became politically visible. I certainly didn't vote for him. So many things he says seems idiotic and his style is infuriating. But, he has done some things right too since becoming president. I so prefer his foreign policy to Obama's that I am delighted to see John Kerry criticizing him. There's still a lot I don't like about Trump, but the resistance always makes him look good.
1
Trump is making the USA captive to all the OPEC counties including Russia by cutting back subsidies and research of alternative energy. Instead of adding tariffs to Chinese solar panels he should train an army of USA citizens to install and service these panels. He should encourage USA citizens to buy these panels not buy oil from OPEC
2
This appalling behaviour was pure politics. Trump was playing to the base - `look at me, how tough I am - I'll make them do what I want - for YOU!"
MY forlorn hope is that the newspapers print in banner headlines just how nice he he was in private when the cameras weren't watching, how he was accommodating NATO's interests -
But too late - the press spent so much time spouting how loud and aggressive he was so that any accommodation looks like they all bowed to his will. And he will certainly pump this.
What a shame that this dreadful man plays the media so well.
Please mainline the Congress 98-2 critique of Trump & Putin - BEFORE he sells Alaska!
3
His stock reply: " We will see what happens". Well, it's happening and with each passing day, America sinks lower and lower. The bottomless pit of this "presidency" and his Republican enablers is destroying everything that is good and just in this country. I imagine I am not alone in feeling bound and gagged until November.
6
When will the other world leaders understand that there is no dealing with Trump? He should be ridiculed by all of them, loudly, publicly, repeatedly, and to his face. Bring. It. On.
2
From where I sit, it sure looks like Schroeder sold his country for a cushy job with Russian firms. Schroeder signed the deal with Russia AFTER he was voted out, and now serves for the Russian companies involved in the project. It stinks.
I am not sure why Merkel does not revisit this contract. It looks so corrupt.
Dear Chancellor Merkel and Secretary General Stoltenberg,
If you ever in our history loved us even a little bit, please for the love of god, stand up to this madman. We don't seem to be able to do it alone and everything is at stake.
4
I wonder hoe may have their ear buds turned up when Trump is speaking. I bet noise cancelling headphones are a big seller in Europe.
1
I'm trying to figure out how Germany can be "one of the alliances most important members" when it spends, I think, 1.3% of its GDP on NATO and is reliant on Russia for its energy needs. (The US spends 3.5% of its GDP on defense.)
I just watched Trump speaking on this subject at a breakfast. He was not "blistering" nor was what he said an attack. Those are very false and misleading adjectives, and this article might have been written by Germany's PR machine. Just whose side are these writers on? Trump spoke in a quiet matter of fact voice to his NATO partners--the ones who have enjoyed our protection on the backs of our taxpayers, not theirs. Germany's budget is balanced; she does not have a 20 $trillion debt. Wonder why? She's not carrying her weight for her own defense.
2
your post is factually misleading.
The U.S. spends 3.5% of our GDP on our own defense.
A fraction of that goes to NATO, meaning WE are not spending the 2% on NATO the he demands others spend.
7
Blistering Bluster from Bombastic Bully Trump. So what else is new...? Trump once again embarrasses the United States with its allies, before sliming off to meet with best-buddy Putin. On behalf of more than half of all Americans, I apologize to our NATO allies. Please do understand that a majority of Americans know clearly how valuable and integral to the United State's and the free world's security NATO is, and we appreciate your contributions in blood and treasure to stand alongside the United States. We apologize fervently for, and beg your understanding that for many, very many of us Trump is a worthless object of incompetence as president, a continuing source of embarrassment we are ashamed of. Thank you for your understanding while we suffer through this trying and painful period of shame.
4
Regrettably this is another opinion piece pretending to be reporting. For example:
"It also reflected her seeming reluctance to be the Western democratic voice that publicly stands up to him."
No, Erlanger & Davis, this is a rational, firm, measured response to a toddler in diapers.
And: "While President Emmanuel Macron of France has tried to curry favor with Mr. Trump, playing the role of the devoted mentee..."
No, E&D, Macron has alternately flattered and scolded our toddler, just as any father would. The fact that our toddler is fat, balding and a septuagenarian doesn't change the fact that he's still an ill-behaved, ignorant toddler and must be handled as such.
3
If anyone is captive to Russia, it is Trump. Putin probably has some really damaging kompromat on this stain on the office of the US president.
1
Not a man nor a woman will stand up to the bully, just as with Senator Joseph McCarthy. The Republican candidates all stood cowed as boys and girls, feckless. The US Congress now the same. World leaders step back. No one knows how far he will push and no one dares speak truth to power. And so we deserve Donald Trump. He holds the match and the world dare not blow it out. Watch the loudmouth burn it all down.
5
The only common thread to Trump’s statements and policies is that they are in Russia’s and Putin’s interests. It’s painfully obvious this man is compromised. Assuming that America’s institutions and values survive, the Trump presidency will go down as the greatest scandal and one of the darkest chapters in this country’s history. He is an amoral, utterly shameless bully with no character or decency. He’s been that way his entire life and he will never change. Trying to appease such a person is disastrous. The world must turn its back on him and America must remove him from office as soon as possible. Every year of a Trump presidency will take 10 years of recovery.
14
Trump believes that bullying people and spewing "alternative facts" will keep him in office. Sadly the R's in Congress are abetting that likelihood. He and their spinelessness are an embarrassment to the United States
8
Trump thinks that Germany should not use Russian gas which comes in a pipeline and instead should import American gas shipped in big LNG tankers from North America. Why would they do that?
5
I think his attacks are a way to distract from issues by putting others on the defensive and befuddle them, and to put himself first. A very selfish man. What was the old punk motto? Question authority before it questions you. He always questions other politicians to put them on the defensive because he knows they know that he doesn't have a clue what he's doing.
8
Here's a wild idea.
What if the same Donald Trump who knowingly manipulates with lies and benefits from overt conflicts of financial interest is manipulating markets with his erratic behavior? And cronies are betting big $ on market perturbations that result?
While this would be CRAZY conspiracy theory in any prior presidency, it is not only believable but consistent with the man as we know him.
Please, NYT, permit this idea to be floated because, while pernicious, it is neither inconceivable nor (probably) illegal.
5
I watched a snippet of somebody's interview on MSNBC from earlier today and suddenly understood what the squirmish regarding the Russian pipeline is all about: apparently the US has the ability and also a hankering (although they are not saying this quite out loud) to supply Germany with oil and gas themselves. Well, of course!! Now it all makes sense.
Whenever Trump starts talking about how something costs billiens and billiens of dollars, one fact usually sticks in his craw: that those billiens of dollars are in somebody else's pocket and not his.
Also, I had many gleeful moments today while watching this charade. Yes, I chose to laugh instead of crumbling in embarrassment on the floor, hiding my face in my hands. It's all too much.
Does Trump have any idea at all that his raw, exposed Id provides for hours and hours of comic relief the world over? Of course not.
But to hear him say Germany is "totally controlled by Russia" - hello? That's Putin's puppet talking, the one who I'd bet was watching every moment of Trump's performance today, sitting in the Kremlin, doing his pushups or whatever. Putin was engaged today in evaluating his tool's performance, much like Trump was watching Spicer squeaking out his lies on the size of the inauguration crowd. The biggest in American history, PERIOD!!
Oh, goodness, and the facial expressions of Pompeo and Kelly - priceless.
I hope the naked emperor's entourage packed a lot of deodorant - there will be sweat.
6
The in-the-face dressing down of NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg and bashing of Germany was shocking, simply reprehensible behavior by an American president. Totally unprecedented, uncalled for and reckless. What's even more concerning is that Trump was basking in creating this turmoil, haughtily upbraiding allies across the breakfast table, strutting about NATO headquarters with that disgusting supercilious air about him, careless disregard for global alliances that have taken decades to build and maintain. What kind of nightmare is this.
7
Why do people even listen to this creature?
Would be nice if, during one of his tirades, the NATO leadership got up and walked out en bloc.
Little chance of that though, since NATO appears to be as spineless as the American government.
What's to be done?
8
Maybe Merkel is not responding because it’s best not to react when a toddler throws a tantrum.
5
A couple of points. Trump is not speaking to Merkel and the Germans, he's speaking to the isolationist faction of his base. This isn't about Germany or Europe.
But aside from that, I'm impressed Merkel didn't see fit to stoop to the gutter with Trump. At least one of them has a little class.
11
Germany helps pay for the American troops stationed in that country, so take Trump's complaints about how much they pay for their own in context.
3
Knowing how Trump is ALWAYS projecting, and accusing others of what he is doing (with HRC you are going to have a president under investigation) (the Dems rigged the vote)... it all starts to become very clear when he says Germany is CAPTIVE to Russia. He is saying we are (or he is - which makes us go along for the ride.) CAPTIVE is an awfully strong word. I hope everyone is quaking in their boots. No mistaking what he is saying.
5
Perhaps Germany should start its own military aircraft company, with next generation fighter craft. I wonder what trump will say then?
2
He's jealous of her, just as he was jealous of Obama. People were calling Merkel the new leader of the free world, which I'm sure got under Trump's skin. She shows a kind of unflappable calm that he can't master. All he knows is bully-boy tactics and strategies. It's too late to expect him to change, or learn something new.
9
We support you, Chancellor Merkel.
We renounce "Trump" as an illegitimate thing occupying the white house unconstitutionally.
9
I think Merkel's response is genius. Don't take the bait, don't yell back. It is all theater. Trump wants people to react. When they don't all he has is his lies. She is not an abused woman. He can't punch her out when backs are turned.
6
A ridiculous and uninformed tirade with a buried lede- Germans get NINE percent of their energy from Russia, about the same amount the US does from Saudi Arabia, and less than the 15% we get from our new arch nemesis Canada. Germany gets 31% of it's energy from German renewables compared to the US' 9%. And Trump ought to love this- 22% of German domestic energy is COAL. Germany also has a plan to dramatically reduce dependence on fossil fuels by 2050 via a switch to electric cars- as most oil consumption in Germany is transportation. If Russia owns Germany, the US is owned by Canada, Saudi, South America and Mexico.
7
according to this report on LNG Global Production, importation and exportation, https://www.igu.org/sites/default/files/103419-World_IGU_Report_no%20cro...
using 2016 /2017 data the report says that Qatar and Australia produce and export almost 50% of global LNG product.
The U.S. produces about 1% and imports almost 90% of all the LNG it uses as of 2017.
Russia produces 4.2% and exports most of that.
Germany is not even in the top 15 importers of LNG, Spain however is.
The U.S. has 11 regasification plants where imports are turned back to gaseous states and only 1 plant currently capable of doing the reverse for export.
so no, we cannot provide Germany it's LNG, and it does not need us to as it has multiple sources already diversified to prevent disruptions on the global market harming their national needs.
4
What's the point of answering questions to which the answers are all over the internet?
1
The German-Russian gas pipeline issue is a red herring.
Trump wants to distract from his cozy relationship with Putin.
Russia needs the revenue. Germany could switch to a different gas supplier relatively quickly, and will undoubtedly go to alternative sources of energy faster than most expect.
Hence, the 9% of energy that Germany gets from Russia is not much leverage. Russia wants to make sales while the sun is not shining and the market for methane remains profitable.
In the main, Trump's words today have been bluster and duplicity. Ms. Merkel will have the Germans pay 2%, and that will be that. Unless Trump's actions break apart NATO.
5
Sometimes, Trump does cut through the dense clouds of chaff, glaringly exposing the truth in the game being played out on the European continent, by its de facto leader, Angela Merkel.
Reading this following Forbes article, discussing European dependence on Russian natural gas, and especially German dependence, one can conclude the only honest player is President Trump.
Excerpt and link -
"America has been lobbying EU capitals intensely to reject the ... They say it is a naked attempt to punish Ukraine by bypassing the Ukrainian gas transit route, and to kill a rival project called South Stream, which would bring non-Russian gas to Europe from the Caucasus. In short, they say, it would hold Europe hostage to Russian gas blackmail."
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.forbes.com/sites/davekeating/2018/03/29...
A question for the NY Times; why is this disturbing fact not mentioned in your never flagging pointed criticism of Mr. Trump, and why would you not discuss the extraordinary weapon such energy dominance gives Russia ??
Envision a dark cold February dawn, in Europe, with relentless snowfall, and brutal cold, Russian troops steadily advancing within its former satellites, and Merkel with no choice to begin the first capitulation in the decimation of Europe.
Stand aside, accepting the steady plodding of the Russian bear, and welcome him, and his gas in.
Extraordinary, no other way to say it.
2
From the eternal sea he rises,
creating armies on either shore.
Turning man against his brother,
until man exists no more.
11
Trump. It can’t end well.
I would never have ever believed that I might actually stop and think that Trump might be on to something here, being a captive to Russia. After all, he has curried Russian favor for years, wanting a Trump property built in Moscow. After all, he owes his election to Russian interference. After all, he stopped U.S. participation in joint exercises with South Korea at, partially, the behest of Putin. After all, he will be meeting alone next with with Putin (yikes)! After all, his nominee, Benczkowski, had ties to a Russian bank under FBI scrutiny. If anyone knows anything about being a captive to Russia it is Trump.
Seriously, Trump's behavior is frightening. Why Congress has not introduced special legislation to invalidate our last election is beyond me. That the Senate has, among other things, confirmed Benczkowski, demonstrates that we are a failed stated. That we were in 2016 and still now susceptible to interference by a foreign adversary that has been, at times, an existential threat to the U.S. and global civilization shows that we area failed state. That Trump and his administration commits crimes against humanity by ripping innocent children from their parents -- inflicting life-long damage -- shows that we are morally bankrupt and a failed state.
These are high crimes and misdemeanors. Congress, the time to act has long passed. You must act to remove Trump from office now before he does even more damage to the fabric of U.S. society and world order.
7
If we knew the Russians were meddling in 2016 and the Obama Administration clearly knew it and did nothing about it, why was this not a 'high crime and misdemeanor for Obama?
Obama didn't actively meet with the Russians. Obama's staff didn't collude with the Russians. Obama wasn't in Putin's pocket out of fear of being blackmailed by the Russians because he didn't cavort with Russian prostitutes in Moscow. Obama and his administration gave due process its due. Obama's administration didn't rip innocent children from immigrant parents seeking asylum in the US. Obama never nominated anyone to oversee the criminal division of the FBI when that nominee had ties to a Russian bank under FBI investigation. Obama never appointed a Supreme Court justice who believed a criminal president cannot be indicted -- an act of pre-emptive obstruction of justice. Obama never met with our nation's adversary (i.e., Russia) in the Oval Office and tried to keep that meeting from the American people. The list goes on and on and on. I'm conservative and, while I've not voted often in the last several presidential elections, the last two in which I did vote I voted Republican. What Trump has done to this country and the presidency is disgrace. That this Congress and this nation's people keep letting him get away with all this malfeasance is even more disgraceful.
Why don't our "allies" e.g. DEPENDENTS meet their very meager NATO spending targets? They can afford to pay for their defense. Time to end the US taxpayer gravy train.
For over a century since WWI it's been a one way flow of lives and money from the US to Europe.
"Once all the Germans were war-like, and mean
but that couldn't happen again.
We taught them a lesson - in 1918
And they've hardly bothered us since then..."
- Tom Lehrer - the MLF Lullaby
1
Doesn't the US still buy lots of oil from Saudi Arabia?
Didn't Saudi Arabia give the world Osama Bin Laden and a large number of Isis and Al Qaeda recruits?
It's a little rich for Trump to be criticizing Germany for buying Russian gas - especially when Trump won't even criticize Russia for annexing Crimea.
11
Trump's anger at Germany for purchasing natural gas from Russia is blatantly self-serving; his stance emimnates from the perception that he, himself generates sufficient natural gas to meet all the needs of Germany and that it is disloyal of the Germans to seek additional sources.
3
After every meeting or phone call with Trump, Chancellor Merkel must need a blood transfusion as a result of blood loss from biting her tongue. She deserves a lot of credit - I simply couldn’t do it.
11
“We have a very, very good relationship with the chancellor, we have a tremendous relationship with Germany,” Mr. Trump said. “We’re having a great meeting."
Clearly Trump's verbiage is nothing but trumpage.
Clearly Merkel's shrugging her shoulders to simply reply “We are partners, we are good partners, and wish to continue to cooperate in the future.” - is full of peace & agreement, signifying ... nothing.
4
It seems trump is working for the Russians, he is helping Russia to weaken NATO. We are all in danger and the ones who suppose to protect us are doing nothing. Sleeping with one eye open
8
Literally, it was only yesterday both Trump and Merkel were on the ropes at home over immigrants and now here they are duking it out in the center ring in Brussels like yesterday never even happened. Talk about collusion. This meeting was probably all staged and Trump wasn’t ridiculing the building merely admiring only the proscenium.
The German military is a farce. They have less than 100 operational tanks, two artillery battalions, no operational submarines, no aircraft carrier strike force, no nuclear deterrent of any kind and 21,000 vacant army junior officer positions. Germany has free loaded on the US A ever since the old USSR collapsed, going on 20 years. They have a budget surplus and are now planning on providing Russia with untold billions thus enabling Putin to put billions more into his military machine which will require the US to add more billions to our defense spending. Merkel is a dishonest "partner".
1
You have made several factually incorrect statements. Germany has over 1000 operational armoured vehicles, including ~300-400 tanks. You have ignored the German artillery units attached to European reaction forces.
The pipeline is designed to diversify the northern European gas network inputs of which the Russian inputs will vary from 15-40%. The statement of billions flowing into Putin's military machine is significantly exaggerated.
But such facts don't matter to Americans anymore. These days having an American call someone 'dishonest' is akin to having a muddy pig call someone dirty.
1
It must satisfy Putin that his targets in Europe (like Ms. Merkel) are Trump's chosen enemies, and his friends (like Nigel Farage) are his allies. Insisting on an absurd number picked from the air of 4% of GDP is the stroke of the malicious manipulator, pretending to care for NATO defense. Highlighting Germany's own pipeline deal with Russia presumably takes attention away from all the money Trump has taken from Russian oligarchs and mafiosi, and from his fawning on Putin and private meetings with him.
2
Because trump never gets his facts right, and he's nothing more than an agitator and certainly not a deal maker that he claims, he's make himself into nothing more than the carnival act that he started as. To expect anything else is naive, at best.
While it may be entertaining, it's not just unpresidential, it's uncivilized and not what the citizens of this country deserve.
VOTE RESPONSIBLY IN November.
21
There are so many opportunities to stand up to Trump, but no one is doing it. I'd look at it this way: Stand up to him, take it on the chin, but realize the ramifications will bless you, again, and again, and again.
5
The propaganda machine on the right is Kingmaker. They exported their algorithm to Europe, with results they choose. the Sinclair Broadcast group owns 74% of all TV broadcast networks, and promises to support their viewers "on all platforms" Only a quarter of the Sinclair Broadcast group are Fox affiliates, the rest are also right wingers. Medicare saturation of propaganda on all platforms, and exported to Europe.
Germany and the rest of Europe currently gets much of its Russian gas supplied by pipelines that pass through Ukraine. Nord Stream competes with that.
The Ukraine pipelines are an important part of Ukraine's national income, and also provide reduced rates on its gas from Russia. During confrontations, Ukraine has tapped off some of that gas without paying for it.
The safety of those pipelines limits the warfare that can be allowed by Russia on Ukraine's territory.
Nord Stream is not about using Russian gas. It is all Russian gas. It is about Ukraine. Once Russia has an alternative route, it can crack down on Ukraine.
US fracking cannot supply gas in place of Russia, at least not yet. That would require huge investment in US liquifaction plants, specialized LNG carrier ships, and ports equipped to receive LNG, and pipelines to move it. It would all cost much more than the Russian gas delivered without liquifaction or ships, through already existing pipelines on the other side of Europe.
Dreams that money would go to US LNG from fracking instead of to Russia are just fantasy. The reality is a neocon power play concerning Ukraine.
Germany feels itself vulnerable by reason of its dependence on Ukraine transit. Ukraine's behavior has already once cut off Germany's gas. Whatever Germany's position on the Ukraine dispute, they don't want their gas supplies held hostage to it.
2
Our President thrives on name calling and bickering
Just because Merkel isn't interested in a public feud doesn't mean she did not stand her ground. The Guardian reported Merkel was firm but more nuanced.
Let's remember, "He who laughs last, laughs best". I will bet on Merkel any day of the week
5
"Germany, as far as I’m concerned, is captive to Russia because it’s getting so much of its energy from Russia"
Trump: Doesn't Germany realize that is my job to be captive to Russia. (best and all....)
10
International affairs has to be front burner this November. Not the Trump dossier stuff. Solid facts.
The Republican Party is against NATO the EU, Canada and so on.
Put Trumps and Kudlow’s remarks on a loudspeaker.
Put Giuliani’s contracts on front page ads.
Drown these Republicans in their own swamp.
7
Germany has class and brilliance. Trump is a teenager in a world of adults. Europe we stand with you and to our Russian President the mid terms are coming and not a day to soon
When you think it can’t get any worst it does.
6
Vintage Trump to hit a leader or nation at a weak point. It's Putin's turn.
But, "Putin is fine", as Trump himself said, so why worry about the pipeline!
However, it would be much better if Germany could get its LNG supply from the US - is this not feasible economically?
1
President Trump demanded that member countries get to 2 percent “IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.”
Why is Trump skeptical of NATO ?
You won't hear this from NYT, but according to aei.org, "When NATO convened in Prague for the 2002 Summit, the members established 2 percent as the minimum level of acceptable defense spending." NATO pledged 2% in 2002.
That was 16 years back. President Trump is right. NATO must get to 2% YESTERDAY.
1
It has been set at 2% by 2024. A deal is a deal Donald. They have five and one-half years to comply.
2
Not for nothing but there was a slight hiccup worldwide in 2007-2008 that affected most if not all economies if I recall...or was that fake news?
Cut some catch-up slack for the financial meltdown that we kinda played a small part in.
1
Yes, can you tell us the steps that would take? Easier said than done.
USSR removed its military forces, so it is time for America to get out of Europe.
Europe would be safer when Germany finally restores its military might
1
45 has more than amply demonstrated through his tweets and outbursts that he’s a loose cannon. The President of the United States should be and act as the steadying hand at the ship of state, not a loose cannon.
I am so embarrassed and ashamed of the actions of the person in the Oval Office and his enablers in the administration.
21
Its all Russian and right wing agenda to interfere with upcoming elections in Germany. Trump is playing Putin's game to interfere in all the democracies of the world. It would be nice if Putin could stop the thievery in his own country and improve the infrastructure in Russia.
2
does it really need to be explained?
Trump must work for Putin, and that is why he is tearing down the USA and trying to tear down NATO.
What Putin has on Trump WILL BE REVEALED, and he will be remembered as the traitor he is.
May his children never be able to forget that since they benefit from it and support and enable it every day.
8
Is being a national embarrassment a high crime or misdemeanor? It sure ought to be.
17
Judge Kavanaugh, in writing the Ken Starr Report, said that "lying to the public" is an impeachable offence.
3
Look forward to a positive outcome of the meeting on Monday, the 17th of July 2018 between President Vladimir V. Putin and President Donald J (?) Trump where the agenda for a sustainable Earth should be carried forward.
1
How can the US be great in isolation?
3
Considering the cowardly Congress won't reign in the stable genius, Merkel is doing the right thing in taking the high road and not provoking him unnecessarily before the next elections.
9
This is Theater of the Absurd. Trump the Con Man play acting the role of President attacking the NATO allies, while the Senate votes 97-2 in support of NATO.
7
Amazing. The US criticizes Germany for spending too much on social welfare for its people, and not enough on guns! What a world.
10
I think Germany should have at least one Carrier Croup. The United States has more than ten. Their initial costs and operational costs are in the trillion of dollars enough pork barrel to keep thousands of defense contracts very happy. Btw, we and probably our potential enemies have missiles that can sink the entire fleet with a few missiles that can be built for a few million dollars.
1
This is one of the main reasons that I voted for Mr. Trump. Clearly the best president of my lifetime. I’m in my mid fifties. You go Mr. Trump!
2
So did I - and NYT's characterization of "Trump insults NATO'' pretty much shows how the NYT will fail. (Digital subscriptions do not mean a thing - I remember paying about 40 bucks in 1983 for an unsuccessful weekend car sell ad. This kind of revenue is not coming back). How come calling out freeloaders -for an eventual US benefit- is an insult?
(BTW, I am a US and EU citizen - splitting my time here and in Europe).
1
Because he insults foreign leaders and publically lies about things like saying Germany gets 70% of its gas from Russia? Add that to the 3000 verified lies to date. You are proud of that?
Read Ivan Krastev's excellent column in today's NYT. It perfectly illustrates Trump's essential reality, which is he has no friends (only fans). This is no surprise because he doesn't care about people. He only cares about looking tough and "winning" (or at least being able to say he won, which he can always do because he lives by the Costanza Rule -- "it's true if you believe it").
Do you know what Trump's greatest fear is: That he will be laughed at. Not as he is laughed at on late-night TV; he relishes that attention (well, any attention). No, his greatest fear is being laughed at because he is seen as weak, in the same way he calls others weak (pretty much anyone he's unhappy with at any moment). That's why he relies so much on fear -- as long as he determines what and who we are to fear (again, so easy when truth doesn't matter), he can appear strong, even heroic. Of course, he must be the one who must be most feared (whether or not that's true is, of course irrelevant).
All this is to simply say he is a bully -- certainly the most powerful and perhaps the most capable bully ever. But still nothing more than a bully.
16
I’m ashamed to be an American. How did we allow this to happen to us? I was embarrassed by the Vietnam and Iraqi wars, as well as our interventions in Iran and Chile, but the shame I feel now is beyond any previous American misdeeds.
How does this end?
14
It's becoming clearer every day that Trump is merely Putin's Puppet. Why does Putin have such control over Trump? Is it the election interference Putin ran for him, or is it the business dealings of Trump with the Russian oligarchs Trump is hiding in his tax returns? Hopefully Mr. Mueller will reveal these answers soon.
How can the Republicans continue to worship Putin's Puppet, as he chastises our democratic allies, and embraces brutal dictatorships? Where are the Republicans as Trump embraces the isolationism of the 20s and 30s, stomping on the legacy of the WW2 generation?
11
Probably enjoying the tax breaks for the wealthy knowing they can get high paying jobs after they leave office from the corporations that will save bundles of money. Oh, let's not forget they want to get rid of social security, Medicare, etc.... you know, what they consider a 'real drain of taxpayer dollars'. They managed to get rid of Affordable Care.
1
Like any good mother, Merkel knows that when a toddler is throwing a tantrum you prevail not through direct confrontation, but by ignoring the fit. The whole world needs to stop feeding Trump's insatiable appetite to be the star attraction in this horror show.
7
The phrase "unprovoked attack" when describing President Trump's position on the need for increases in defense spending by Germany is akin to another situation. Imagine a scenario where someone goes out for dinner at someone's expense, week-in and week-out, and never offers to pick up the bill. The bill-payer (having patiently waited for, but not receiving, reciprocity) finally makes a pointed remark about the mis-match of spending. Instead of the moocher feeling abashed, the moocher says "Gee, you're being provocative!!!"
4
Well, let's see, Germany has taken in vast numbers of the refugees from our war of choice in Iraq and we have taken in very few. So who is paying the bills, here, actually?
4
If those are the "facts", why is Germany allowing this pipeline? Seems unnecessary.
1
Engaging with Trump, unless you are there to manipulate him, is a no-win situation, and my guess is that Merkel knows that very well. You can't reason with a bully. On the other hand, history has shown from the Romans onward that it's not wise to provoke the Germans. Trump applies his bullying/mafia tactics against everyone regardless, which shows only how naïve he is. It may work to a degree in the real estate business, but it's not fitting for a president nor does it work as diplomacy.
7
Yes America, it's really happening. An American president is working hard to damage American national interests and security. He is betraying our interests for those of a hostile foreign power.
Just watch Trump as he blatantly and shamefully works to fulfill Russia's greatest desire for the past 67 years: The destruction of NATO. And yes, he really has scheduled an off-the-record meeting with Putin following this disgraceful spectacle. That way he can report to his master without fear of anyone in America knowing what was said.
Trump could not be more obvious about his subservience to Putin. Why won't the press start saying it? Untold numbers of Americans past and present who suffered and sacrificed to make and protect this country demand it.
26
The German people, after one bombastic statement after another, are becoming both bored and enured to President Trump. It's like when you have a toddler that throws fit in the Grocery store. In this case Trump is the toddler, the store is the NATO Summit (or whatever meeting you choose) and Germany-Merkel is the long suffering parent. Merkel is probably handling Trump in the best way possible. She's not fawning over him like France's President and not verbally assaulting him, as he does her. I actually have to admire her restraint. Meanwhile the German people are none to pleased with Trump using it as a punching bag. I think that Germany and Merkel will bide their time and keep running their country the best way they can regardless of what Trump says.
4
Americans got to ask ourselves the following question.
Is Trump really pursuing an "America First" policy or is he trying to dismantle NATO to please his boss, Putin.
11
He doesn't even feel the need to pretend that he isn't doing Putin's bidding to upset alliances. So, just WHO is captive to Russia?
1
Grown-ups like Merkel don't need to "hit back" at Trump. They know what he is. He is a greedy conman who likely sold out the U.S. interests for a 500 million cut of the Rosneft sale. The educated adults in the room will simply meet and make policy without him. Why tell him so? He's not capable of understanding or caring.
11
They also know enough about our system to know that he did not win the popular vote.
2
In the eighties it was Reagan bullying Germany into stopping MAN to sell steel pipes to Russia on security grounds - only to then allow a US company to do the deal instead. Now it’s natural gas with Trump acting as enforcer for US LNG exporters. The more things change ...
4
Ms Merkel and other European leaders recognize that they are dealing with a madman. Instead of questioning their reticence to confront Trump, we should demand greater courage from our own U.S. Congress, Republican members especially.
9
Trump is trying to destroy NATO, as Putin demands. He's succeeding. Why is he doing this? To protect himself, partly, as it's clear he won because of Russia and surely there's evidence Putin could put out, but it'd seem likely he's offered long-term massive pay-offs from Putin if he succeeds. Is there anyone who thinks for a few billion personal dollars Trump wouldn't sell out US interests?
8
Umm, I don't know much about this, but if Germany is 'captive' to Russia because of their energy, isn't the US similarly 'captive' to certain middle eastern countries due to its dependence on their oil?
13
There's much to comment about FrumpyTrump's nonsensical harangues, but the one I wish to offer is that if American auto makers hate seeing German cars on the streets of the U.S.A. they should make better cars at lower prices, while at the same time being fair to their workers; this I believe is the formula used by German automakers; and no, I haven't forgotten the fuel efficiency rating scandal.
5
Why is it insulting? It's true. For years it has been a mystery to me as to why Western Europe would allow themselves to be so dependent on Russia for their energy. For years as well, most NATO members have failed to live up to their defense commitments either. America and the UK carry most of the load. If the Germans - one of the world's wealthiest economies - aren't worried enough about their national security to maintain their defenses and buy energy from the West, why should we worry about their security? Bring our troops home and let them take care of it.
2
You are conveniently forgetting that the US is using NATO to advance its own geopolitical strategy. Many of the military bases in Germany and other NATO members have been used for the endless military campaigns in the Middle East. So sure, close those down, and bring the troops home, but you’ll simultaneously curtail your sphere of influence.
Mr. Trump sees everything has a transactional zero-sum game, but geopolitics is multifaceted - truly not his strong suit.
And BTW no one likes a bully and the leaders of the other NATO members may politely listen, but they are not going to let themselves be strong armed into anything. This behavior just makes the US look weak.
2
All I am going to say is this about Trump's statement there being too many foreign (German) cars, in the USA. In the early mid-70's Opec withheld old in retaliation of the USA supporting Isreal. I remember my then husband's car's license plate began with an odd number and that determined that we could only buy gasoline on odd numbered days. Let me tell you there is nothing pleasant about sitting in a line that extends out of gasoline station, down the street and around the curb for hours with 3 children ranging in age 9, 6, and 6 weeks in southern California Desert during the summer. Oh, and our car, a Chevy got vapor lock any time . Sometimes I had to sit there 2 times a week because my husband worked in LA and usually drove there every day except when I had to get gas for him. It wasn't unusual for an attendant to walk the line just tell everyone beyond a certain point that they would be served because they were 1. Limited to onl 10 gallon per car and 2. They were only going to serve 100 cars and 3. and your number was beyond 100. So my parents loaned me the money to buy a small Honda Civic. We never had a problem with that Civic until it hit 68K miles. Then it was just the timing chain and no more problems until 98K miles. What were we driving before? A 1970 Chevelle. Not only was it a hog on gas but about every 3-4 months it was in the shop. So, when the then president (Republican Ford), said we should be buying American cars and not foreign I laughed.
3
Last year Germany raised the proportion of its power produced by renewable energy -- wind, solar, biomass, hydro and waste -- to 35 percent from 33 percent the previous year. Natural gas accounts for 13% of all German energy as of this year based on projections to date.
Looks to me like Germany is a captive of Mother Nature way more than Mother Russia.
When's Trump going to declare war on environmentalists? They own twice as much of Germany's energy dependence than those Russians. How did Germans let that happen? Was it those sneaky Mexicans and their sneakier babies?
Hope Trump teaches Putin how to expand his market share for energy. Putin can teach him about Russian political ventriloquism. Maybe also tips about handling political dissidents and managing the media.
Trump, Putin knows, is a fast study. With just one lesson, he's mastered the art of undermining global alliances and subverting America's special relationship with allies we share blood sacrifice, economic intercourse, and prosperity denominated with dollars that require mandatory enrollment in a global banking system controlled by the US Federal Reserve.
Trump's acting like a property shark who just bought a new apartment building and wants to evict or drive off all current tenants by hiking rents and being nasty so he can demolish the structure and build a new tower with his Russian partners financing the deal.
Who knew leading the free world was just like a game of Monopoly?
9
Oil and gas reserves will run out eventually. Maybe Germany prefers to buy their energy from Russia so that their reserves are the first to run out. Long term strategy.
2
There was a 'tipping point theory' some years ago that the world was now on the down hill of oil reserves. New techniques and the reserve are increasing by the day, including in Russia.
NATO ensure 70 years of peace; it is a great USA achievement which expands the USA power with bases of operation all around the world. It is obvious that Trump is working for Russia and trying to sow disagreements between NATO members; it won't work, Trump has no more credibility...
6
Because the President of the United States can take a meeting with anyone he wants.
Allowed? wow.
I'm not saying its a great thing. I'm saying its absolutely his prerogative.
2
Just to be sure: Angela's response to DJT was, in her standards, not very measured. She pointed out that Germany is an independent nation, what she meant is obviously that we are no longer occupied, neither by Russia nor by anybody else. Angela's intelligence is orders of magnitude larger than that of a stable genius, and she responds to a bully with politeness.
BTW, did you know which car maker - in USD - is the one that exports most from the US?
14
VW?
1
A few weeks ago, Trump suggest Russia should be making the Group of 7 the Group of 8. Now, his point of view is that purchasing natural gas from Russia is inappropriate. I think his purpose is to make waves one way or another and doesn't really care how.
3
Note to NATO leaders: Bullies like Trump sense weakness and exploit it. It cannot be met with appeasement or "quiet rejoinders." You have had over a year of his behavior and should have made some adjustments by now. If you need some tips on how to deal with a bully, please consult one of the thousands of elementary school teachers in your respective countries.
3
Thank goodness there were adults in the room.
And Trump wasn't one of them.
3
Post the Cold War, the USA, has not only been the dominant force in the world, but also the stabilizing factor. This eminent position, sure does come at a cost, with no ensuing collateral damage but immense prosperity.
Now, to take an opposite trajectory, disavowing past precdents, is not only risky for the USA but disconcerting for the world.
We need to have a Foreign Policy that other countries can rely upon and not one that totally works on the whims of the current President, whomsoever is in the Office.
3
Ms. Merkel knows that it makes more sense to keep your distance from a boisterous person who shows little desire to work from a base of knowledge than to engage him.
7
Mrs. Merkel, by remaining the dispassionate and rational adult in the room, drives him over the edge, feeding into his clear inability to treat women as equals, especially powerful women who are not intimidated.
We should really be more concerned about what Putin is going to take back with Moscow with him. A deal for military equipment, relaxation of sanctions, passwords for the NSA computers? Oh wait, I think he's had those for years.
I am still waiting for at least one of the repub leaders to rein him in or at least call him on his behavior. Otherwise we have a scary 2+ years to go.
9
I don't think Republican leaders will budge. even his detractors are afraid to oppose him. Something terrible has happened. With what are they so threatened? A big mouth? A nasty tweet? Physical violence? The deaths of their families? What has made the Republicans so craven?
Whether he realizes it or not, Trump is continuing the work of the terrorists who brought down the World Trade Centers in 2001: disrupt the Christian and Euro-centric world order. He does this by inverting the scenario: using the fear of immigrants, many the result of post-911 wars and chaos, to continue the work of Osama bin Laden. With this he has the help of the Russias, eager to regain lost territory and power after the dissolution of the USSR, and the complicity of the Republican Party and evangelicals in the US, eager to cement their one-party and one-religion rule even with a corrupt and dishonored president. As Thomas Mann wrote in 1940, "Men do not act quite of themselves. They act in response to an outward situation, and on being presented with an opportunity to conform to a pattern. If the pattern gives license to cruelty, so much the better. They take advantage of the license so thoughtlessly, so thoroughly, that it becomes perfectly clear: the generality of mankind are only waiting for the chance, only waiting for outward circumstance to sanction brutality and allow them to be cruel and brutal to their hearts content."
2
There is no comparison between the Soviet Union and modern Russia. The former was a dull and monotonous place focused on the fiction that communism would free all the world's suffering souls. Modern Russia, however, is a vibrant and welcoming place with a brilliant future. America would be wise to align herself to this vast and largely undeveloped land with a limitless future.
1
Rolf, there have been reports by economists that Russia is broke, unable to sustain a large military presence. Putin is known to have absconded with the major part of the Russian treasury. He now lives in London; a good life for the former KGB murderer. Modern Russia is not a vibrant country; she has been ruled by self-serving oligarchs. There was a time, decades ago, when American writers of note went to Russia and wrote glowing reports of the Revolution. The Revolution has produced an oligarchy in which one member of Putin's opposition was murdered in front of the Kremlin; another member was murdered in a public square; one defector is now protected by security forces in the hospital where he is recovering from a toxic poison; two defectors suffered from a toxic poison manufactured in Russia and the U.S., a closely held and guarded poison. One of the defectors has since died from the poison. Perhaps the limitless future you reference depends on a limitless supply of a State produced poison.
1
If my memory serves me correctly, Trump's ancestors, after making an initial trip to the United States back in the 1800s, made a bid to move back to the southern German village from whence they came. "Request denied" was the town's answer, as I recall.
Trump has a long memory about personal rejection, be it by the Bushes, the Republican Party establishment, or the village of Kallstadt and how it said "Nein" to his great grandpa's return. Bruise his ego or eschew his family name and he'll never forget it, even though staying in America has worked out pretty well for the Trumps. No, that's beside the point.
It wouldn't surprise me if he's beating up on Germany now to get comeuppance for his forebears more than a century ago.
9
No, he wants to sell liquified natural gas to Western Europe. It is time to stop trying to explain everything this government does in terms of Trump's personal needs. He is a narcissistic clown, we know that. But he also acts in favor of his fellow capitalists and campaign contributors.
3
"when he becomes aggressive or mocking, as he did in private sessions during the Group of 7 summit meeting last month in Canada, Ms. Merkel simply does not react, perhaps to avoid setting him off further"
The reason she does not engage him more forcefully is because logic and rationale will not persuade him not because she is weakened. He does not want to be persuaded. He wants to "WIN" - whatever that means to him. And even that(i.e. a WIN) is a moving target.
8
It should be the German citizens' and no one else's job to decide what we spend on defense. The US government wants to spend 4% of the entire economic output on its already overblown military-industrial complex. Fine, but why should we follow this madness?
His argument also begs the question: from what is Mr. Trump protecting us? From France? None of our neighbors or any other country has been hostile towards Germany in the last few decades. Poland and the Baltic countries spend a lot to protect themselves from Russia, having substantial Russian minorities, just like Ukraine. Greece had a few issues with Turkey in the past. Both issues do not apply to Germany.
American troops use German bases as intermediate stop on their way towards the Middle East, not to protect us. If Mr. Trump wants to move these troops back home and close the bases, no German citizen is going to stand in his way. Yes, they were originally supposed to be the first line of defense in the Cold war. But that war is over.
13
So it sounds from your reasoning that you believe that NATO is obsolete, at least from Germany's perspective. Hmm.
1
Not quite, I'm only addressing the notion that NATO's primary objective is America protecting Europe.
NATO can still be useful, if it is understood as protecting democracy and the rule of law against authoritarian regimes around the world. Most NATO missions in the past have been far away from Europe and America (think Afghanistan), and if done right that can actually be useful.
But Germany (and other European nations) are already participating in these endeavors. That's why I don't understand Trump's complaints.
What American cars would be suitable for European streets? Get serious . We make rental cars and pick up trucks and we have for the past 20 years.
4
“But the more Mr. Trump attacks Germany, the less its people feel like appeasing him on military spending or with trade concessions.”
You know what, Trump is right. I used to work in Germany and they have free health care and free college. Because they spend next to nothing on their military, relying on our tens of thousands of troops based there to protect them.
This isn’t just a Trump position. Obama repeatedly called them “free riders” and said it “aggravated” him. If Germany won’t pony up, we should simply start removing our troops from that country as step one. Step two would be to impose a deadline to pay up, otherwise NATO ends. We can protect ourselves against Russia. They can’t protect themselves against Russia.
2
Germany spends next to nothing on defense? What’s 1.24% of $US3.4 trillion, i.e German GDP? Is there a mathematician in the house?
2
Pr. Obama did not call them free riders because of the military spending, but because many NATO members have not committing actual troops to crisis interventions (Syria / Lybia / etc) and he was making a point that it is not up to the US alone to react or intervene.
2
Maybe they can buy Russia.
And the United States should swiftly introduce recall election for the President.
One could argue that what Merkel did was what
any adult might do when in a room with an 8 year old
engaged in a tantrum...sometimes silence is the
most effective calming mechanism. Embarrassed
silence to be sure, since you don't really relish
the fact that your historic ally and most powerful
country on the planet is actually in the hands of
the same 8 year old...but such are the facts of our
bizarre lives these days.
You just hope you can
contain the worst of the effects of whatever
the tantrum is actually supposed to be about, though
like most tantrums, such things are often mysterious
even to the 8 year old in question. Like the passing storm,
you pray it doesn't blow in the roof...
Needless to say, the expected media attention is just
what the 8 year old was looking for, though it belies
reason exactly why. Maybe it's just the attention it
attracted, since it convinced him that whatever
it was he was acting out about must have proved that he
was right. Not that the facts that contradict this had any
bearing, either on the matter, or on how this was
reported by the media.
It surely would have been better for Merkel to have
tried to reason with our anointed 8 year old, and pointed out
how the actual facts about energy imports had little to do with what he was ranting about. Calmly, matronly...firmly. That might
have been better than what she did manage to retort.
But presumably putin will be able to set the record straight for
our 8 year old in charge.
4
It feels a lot like this episode of the Twilight Zone: https://youtu.be/IuAzvb38PyI
When the president of the United States speaks there are consequences. This becomes more complicated when POTUS is inarticulate. And also speaks without thinking. And often does not mean what he says. Or does not say what he means. Compounded by a lack of familiarity with truth. The answer? Ignore Trump internationally. And non stop opposition domestically.
6
So, President Trump is no diplomat. And, Germany isn't as reliant on Russia as he says.
Russia is no Soviet Union, and the best way to engage Russia is economic integration. Keep trading. More and more.
In this regard I'm with Germany.
Is Russia going to invade the Baltics? Doubt it. Invade Germany? Nah.
But Germany owes 2% GDP to the common cause. I'm with the president. Do it now. There is no excuse. Geez...make it 3% for good measure. Its true that % is not a great measure of true contribution to NATO because it can be sliced and diced and measured many ways. But its what we have to work with.
Germany is a liberal democracy because the US made it one. Germany, do your part to stay that way.
5
Last sentence nails it. Trump is peddling the much more expensive US liquid natural gas to replace cheap Russian natural gas by pipeline. If Russia were to cut the 35% of German natural gas use (9% of their total energy use) that it controls, it would be inconvenient for the Germans (who would have to lower temperatures in their homes and sleep under two comforters). However, their hardship would be nothing like what they went through during the world wars. For Russia, however, the loss of foreign currency would be a disaster. What Germany should do and is doing is to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel.
5