Fixed your headline for you:
The US, no longer humiliated by Obama's feckless foreign policy, causes Europe to stuggle with their own ineffective leadership.
1
Obama kept us safe and commanded respect on the world stage, Trump, not so much. Trump may just trigger the annihilation of us all if his ego is bruised.
6
When everybody at the table is an adult and is being led by a child, this is what you get. This President will do things, even if its the most bizarre and stupid of things to do just to get attention. Instead of being at the table, he should be in a mental hospital. The man redefines what a total misfit is. In two years, we will hopefully have a new President that is an adult and understands foreign relations and what an ally is. Until then, ignore this idiot and not allow him a stage to perform his clown act.
5
Confounded perhaps, but Europe is not humiliated by this buffoon.
4
It’s the US that should be humiliated. This kind of senile behavior on the world stage furthers my desire to emigrate.
5
There is something seriously wrong with this headline. No, Europe was NOT humiliated by Trump. Europe has -- with dignity -- decided to carry on with a program designed to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities without the presence of the United States.
Who came up with this headline? You do know that in some circles, NYTimes is being linked with the very Russian personas/companies that are referenced in the news. I didn't and don't want to believe it but headlines like this make me wonder.
1
I think you're got it backwards: it is America that is being humiliated by Trump.
5
Two Step Program for the Restoration of US Credibility and Dignity in the World:
Step One: Take back Congress from the Republican enablers of Trump and put a muzzle on Mad Dog Donald.
Step Two: Take back the White House and throw Trump into prison where he belongs.
5
Europes enemies are two - Putin and Trump.Its time to rally behind our common destiny and give a damn about illiterates and gangsters.
2
Iraq2 and the consequential power balance shift will clear in history as one of the greatest strategical blunders of all time.
No consequences for the perpetrators, Bolton is about to do what he likes most, sending other people‘s kids into war.
Hell will have a special place for him and the others that went with impunity.
Top bad there is no hell.
2
I do not see that European leaders are "humiliated". Trump has humiliated us. He is an embarrassment in multiple ways, too many to recount in limited space. He is a conspicuous national mistake.
4
Everyone is missing the point: when Trump starts, inevitably, a shooting war with Iran, egged on by Messrs Bolton, Pompeo and the arch-sycophant Pence, this petulant, self-absorbed president will have none of the allies that have supported every US initiated shooting war since WW2. He will not have the Air Force and armies of Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, plus many other smaller contingencies on either flank. The trillions of dollars a war with Iran will entail will make the Iraq incursion look like, "The Charge of the Light Brigade" that it was. Of course, the leadership of Israel is licking its chops over this eventuality. While the, "Shock and awe" of the Iranian theatre of war in underway, Israel will open up a, "Second Front" to secure the Golan Heights and sweep into southern Syria. We are on the verge of a serious regional war that could quickly escalate into WW3 when a couple of Russian planes or a platoon of Russian "advisors" are taken out.
6
Children in healthy families usually move from dependency to radical independence to healthy independence and, finally, to healthy interdependence where individuals negotiate their relationships with mutual respect. But codependents simply see others as a means to meeting their own needs. When codependents find one another, they interlock not in healthy interdependence, but in codependency, in which case they get their needs met from someone they disrespect or even hate. Entire countries may behave this way, for example, when they need one another's resources.
Donald may sometimes appear as radically independent, but he is actually radically codependent. Just look at his need for rallies: these events are mass homecoming events for a huge codependent family and their codependent parent.
This explains why Donald cares nothing about America, except how the country can serve his needs. He says he loves this country because, "it's been very good to me." By "very good," he means it has not interfered so much as to prevent him from lying, cheating, stealing and assaulting his fellow Americans; it has not prevented him from trying get his needs met in whatever way he wishes ("Ask not what you can do for your country...").
Donald is a sick man in a codependent relationship with a huge segment of the population. His removal is absolutely necessary. For his base, it will be like taking candy from a child—they will be enraged. Let's pray the Constitution can weather the heat.
6
The Eropeans have nothing to be humilated about; it is Americans who are humilated. Being an American, I can speak for the majority of us who are deeply embarassed by Trump, Pence, Bolton and al the other Republicans and Democrates who are leading us down a doomed trail.
3
Iran could stop working up it's ballistic missile program. They agree to stop one side of their nuclear program (the nuclear warhead), while continuing on with the delivery system. Knowing full well that they can build the war head in the future. And the sheep on here think that's a good deal. They didn't learn a damn thing from the N.Korea crisis, they just continue along with appeasement.
1
Europe has been following the USA around on its knees for decades....and now sniffing even more with Trump as the worlds boss.
They need the USA , for survival.... too bad.
1
I am finally excited about something this administration is doing , with their foreign policy it won’t be long before the DRAFT is reinstated.
Hope there maga hats fit under their steel pot . Ha ha got to love this
I fail to see how Trump's actions humiliate Europe. It just goes to show that vis a vis Europe the US is somewhat like the awkward adolescent compared to the mature adult.
2
Perhaps the European Union should consider hiring Michael Cohen. Considering the "deals" Mr. Cohen has engaged in...He seems to be an expert on a dizzying number of subjects
1
Europe is not humiliated, they are trying to make profits. The 2015 deal was about bailing out the European economies, whose socialist economies were ailing. A new customer was what they needed.
Never mind that Iran has an awful human rights record, a misogynist government, is destabilizing Iraq and Syria, and is threatening Israel and Saudi Arabia with a nuclear holocaust, if Euro can be made we will sell them what they want.
One problem though, Iran doesn't have the money to pay for it. But that's ok, we will talk the US into giving the Iranian Republican Guard and the Ayatollahs the $ 150 billion they are holding in escrow for the Iranian people.
That, in it's essence, is the Iran deal. This was not about US leadership, this was about the US caving in to European governments who have no moral qualms about supplying terrorists and criminals.
This is despite the fact that a vast majority of the citizens of EU countries do not support these policies. European social democracies are fraying at the edges, and show a distinct lack of leadership.
To insist upon regime change in Iran is right. Anything else is caving in on the principals that Western Democracies are supposed to hold dear.
Sorry European allies, AMERICA has gone to the dark side, by the madman that moved into 1600 Pennsylvania who doesn't represent the majority of its citizens. I would ask that you see this as a part 1 of a 2 parts movie that has a villain who does damage to the world by its end; only to be re-claimed in part 2 by the side of good, and the villain is imprisoned where he can never be a threat again. While most such movies are of fiction in nature, this one is playing out in real time. Sci-fy!!
4
Europe is better off without the States of Trump. They must save the world, with the help of China andRussia.
1
The Leader of the free world is now France. We Americans are now humiliated to be represented by a moron who breaks our negotiated constraints away from Iran.
Let's all repeat IN UNISON the question Trump was asked twice and pretended not to hear:
HOW DOES THIS MAKE US SAFER?
3
We have all been humiliated by Trump.
3
Who's really humiliated? Us. The United States has fallen precipitously in all ways, but most importantly in morals. We have a so-called president, who lost the popular vote by 3 million, who is hateful and offensive. He is tearing apart the best of our country piece by piece every day and all we can do is just watch. Our laws and lawmakers are doing nothing. Shame on us.
4
Europe doesn’t seem to remember history. The US has done more fir them than they ever did for us. This obama treaty wasn’t legal, not ratified by Congress. King Obama was acting in his own.
2
It’s just ironic how we’ve saved Europe twice and they reject us here. Why?
3
Well, the US doesn't behave like an adult here.
4
So, have those who voted for this insanity tired of winning yet? Hard to think of relinquishing the US position of global leadership and influence and fracturing alliances that have served the US interests for over half a century as “winning.”
The Trump presidency is certainly turning into a “down the rabbit hole” experience for many of us and certainly many of our allies as well.
I hope Mueller soon tires of Trump as the Red Queen shouting “off with their heads,” and offers convincing evidence of crimes and high misdemeanors worthy of an impeachment or better yet a resignation.
6
Trump was not beholden to this agreement as it was not signed by the United States of America. It was not a treaty. It was simply an agreement between Obama and the Iranians. If Obama wanted this to be durable he should have negotiated a deal that could pass the Senate as a treaty. That's the only way one president can bind the actions of his successors. You all seem to want a dictator who can act as he pleases outside of constitutional norms.
2
That might be a reasonable way to analyze this situation had the GOP Senate during the Obama administration actually done their jobs instead of stonewalling. They took an obstructionist stance the moment Obama became President. Between 2007 and 2014 they blocked 500 pieces of legislation. What makes you think they would have negotiated with him on an Iran deal?
5
Obama took it to the Senate. Democrats successfully filibustered. Republicans were never willing to negotiate in good faith with President Obama. It would have been nice, however, Mitch McConnell made it abundantly clear that his mission was to obstruct.
McConnell made that promise or was it really a threat soon after Obama took office. McConnell stuck to that game plan throughout Obama’s two terms. He later enlisted John Boehner and Paul Ryan as co-obstructionists.
If you want to place blame, place it where it belongs on Mitch McConnell and Republicans.
3
trump sets trap on Iran, Iran starts N capabilities, trump calls them out, justify beating drum, starts up war machine, distracts Mueller, GOP makes millions on defense welfare. Soldiers pay the price for elite greed.
4
Trump's withdrawal from Iran deal shows that Israel and Saudi Arabia have stronger effects on the US than the Europeans. Netanyahu' shows on Iran' secret files was like a animated cartoon! His claims have been internationally rejected but Trump used those claims in his speech for the withdrawal.
Which countries supported Trump's decision? Saudi Arabia, Israel, UAE. I am so sorry
3
Oh brother. The US does not have any allies. We do have a lot of dependents: Europe, Israel, Saudi Arabia, S. Korea, Japan and others for whom we have provided defense for decades or in the case of Europe for over a century - WWI, WWII, Marshall Plan, cold war, NATO.
Making the world safer by holding Iran to account does not "humilate" Europe. Considering all we have done for our dependents one would think they (especially Europe) would stand by their benefactor.
2
You cannot appeal to Trump with arguments about the common good or appeals to reason. He cares nothing about the first and cannot understand the second. He cares about looking like a tough guy to roughly half the American electorate that's enamored with fake tough guys.
If the European leaders could've found a way to make Donald believe he'd look really tough if he kept America in the deal with Iran, we'd still be in the deal. The other thing that worked against sanity in this farce, is that Don's puckered little sense of self is threatened when he behaves like or is treated like part of a team. He HATES the anonymity of being part of a group effort precisely because there is no "I" in team. With Don, it can't be "we." It has to be "I".
So, he misbehaves and stands alone to get attention. And his base adores him for it. Will they ever comprehend this isn't a matter of courage or principle with Trump, but instead is the result of a diseased ego?
3
Humiliated by Trump? Hardly. Trump's vindictiveness merely serves to authenticate correctness of the widely-held revulsion of Trump in Europe.
A Europe united against Trump should be a source of pride and strength.
4
Let's be honest. Trump ignored the European's desire for cheap Iranian oil. That's the major issue in Brussels. Ignore that shipping a billion dollars to Iran has resulted in them colonizing much of Syria and Iraq.
1
Sorry, the US invasion has handed over Iraq to Iran, created ISIS and destabilized Syria. Fixed it for you.
1
If only Trump had reneged on his promise to get out of the Iran agreement instead of his promise to rebuild US infrastructure.
Europe, threatened not only by Trump's withdrawal from the Iran agreement but with tariffs on their goods being exported to America, might retaliate in a sensible fashion: stop importing American goods AND stop exporting goods to America. European manufacturers planning projects and plants in the US should put those projects into hiatus. And stop inviting this Pompous Potus to your countries and refuse his invitations to visit him. As his Reality TV Show's ratings tank (except among his pathetic base), maybe he will just do us all a favor and Go Home.
I would also ask our cable news networks to stop giving all their air time to Trump. Only give him 5 minutes an hour and then get on to important events in the rest of the world. Our citizens could well do with a broader education.
5
The US standing up for itself in China is good for every Country. Emboldened by Trump's move, Leaders of other Countries will now take a stand for selling their goods and services in China.
1
Europe needs to not consider the US, except as a nation to work around. Matters for any region or multiple regions are more important than any one nation. Trump isn't reliable anyway.
2
Frankly, one has to wonder who comes up with these headings? Europe? Humiliated? The only ones being humiliated here are Trump and America. Other than to potentially enhance the coffers of the Military/Industrial Complex by de-stabilizing the region anymore than what it already is, what possible benefit does the destruction of this agreement accomplish for America? Make Netenyahu feel better?
Time and again we see a President whom for the sole purpose of feeding his own giant ego is to leave anything of the Obama Presidency in his wake, nothing more. Trump could probably care less what is in the agreement and he probably never read it anyway.
5
Under this administration there is no unity. There is only trump's me me me world. He has forced you to stand beside him as if condoning and supporting his single minded egotistic ideologies.
The current congress is spineless and kisses his ring at will lest they get his bullying wrath by tweet. Our ceo's are just as spineless.
The volcanic activity on the big island of Hawaii, which the US government has spoken little about, is an omen and incentive for your actions.
Consider the USA a goner. Consider the USA a non- functioning entity.
You would survive as you did before the good old USA began.
The USA is an infant compared to the years you have been around. The baby is throwing a tantrum as the ego is charging forward unthinkingly. Baby needs a major time out. Sit the USA in a corner and ignore BABY until it begins to behave and listen.
Cooler heads and the ID will rise to deflate the EGO.
Be the long developed, sound and level headed adults.
You can survive without USa.
2
When one travels in Europe, one is struck by how grounded the people are. They go to work, they spend time with families, they talk about normal stuff. Evening news last for 15-20 minutes. Not so in America. People live in a mental horrorscape created by cable news, Donald Trump and abstract ideas that at closer inspection are irrelevant to most people.
For this current sorry state of affairs, the conservatives and the GOP are almost exclusively to blame. They are fueled by crazy conspiracies and strange ideas of capitalism and patriotism that are turning their brain into toxic slush. American conservatives, I posit to you, no longer live on this Earth. They need an intervention. We need to help them feel better. They need come back and stop living in their heads. There's a whole world out there and it is beautiful.
3
It's embarrassing to be an American right now.
3
Trump by doing a great disservice to Europe, he is unwantedly making her stronger and more united than ever. Thank you Mr. Trump, Thank you Mr. Putin.
3
Donald is like a sulking child determined to do the opposite of what a parent asks after the child has been disciplined. I believe his sole mission is to ruin whatever Obama accomplished, regardless of the effect on the planet and its human population. It all began when Obama held Donald up to ridicule at the WH Correspondents Dinner. The character Mordred comes to mind, but it's been awhile since I read about Arthur, etc, so that analogy could be wrong.
1
Americans and European both need each others goods and services, regardless who occupies the white House. Trump said he wanted to scrap NATO and presumably he would like to divest the US entirely from Europe and European products and ideas. He or this country will not last long with these plans. I for one support Europe no matter how they respond.
2
The Europeans, and Americans in general, are overestimating Trump's effectiveness as an administrator. In real estate he has been a promoter, not a developer, and his track record shows ineffectiveness at putting together projects that work, that really produce a benefit over time. On steel and aluminum, we've seen him waffle and prevaricate, probably because he has not advance plan for implementing his bluster, and no real interest after the fact in making it work. After all, he only cares about attention, and after he has dominated the news cycle with something bombastic, he goes on to something else. That's where the Europeans, with their relatively persistent and consistent bureaucracies, have an advantage, for they can carry out detailed strategies that Trump's team cannot respond to. They're also missing the big picture here, that if American's don't sell to Iran, they're companies will have the market free to themselves. Can you imagine how long Boeing will abide losing $30 billion contracts to Airbus? Trump won't have the patience to put secondary tariffs in place. He'll already be on and causing trouble on some other issue.
3
The European leaders must realize that unless they have the ability to make him pay a price he does not want to pay, they will not prevail with him. They need to figure out how to cost him something dear, and do it. He will not respond to a threat. He will respond to action that has very bad consequences for his leadership.
Anything that will cost Americans a lot more money that can be traced directly to his actions is one way to do it. What that is, I don;t know. But I am sure there are those who do. Macron has to stop making nice to him and begin to sharply separate himself from Trump in ways that benefit him with the French voters.
The British and the Germans need to band with Macron and form an alliance that puts huge pressure on him in ways he understands. His image is all that matters to him. How can they damage that?
1
Just remember that when the possibility of war with Iran comes, Europe should not support the US in any way, shape or form.
I am no supporter of the President. His shameless arrogance, corruption and ignorance have tested the very foundations of American Democracy. But as his predecessor said, I do have to hope for his success - because when he succeeds the country succeeds.
So I pose this question. Why do we have to be in a half baked nuclear deal with a country that encourages our downfall and (as Trump pointed out) chants "Death to America, Death to Israel" at nearly all its public gatherings for decades now? Would all those lamenting the deal be so quick to forgive Trump and his supporters for chanting "Death to Iran"?
Why do we need to be economically strengthening a hostile, expansionist power that regularly threatens both us and our allies in the Middle East? Indeed funding their quest to lead the Islamic World. Why would we do something like that? Do you honestly think this regime will care more about upholding a weak nuclear deal on a piece of paper than the threat of the US military attacking them should they continue work on nuclear weapons? This is a country that held our people hostage and has been hostile to the US, its interests and its allies for nearly 40 years. They're attacking Israel openly now. Why would we support this country?
2
Yes, it is so much fun to bomb Iran than respecting a boring deal. You could kill even more people than in Iraq, yes ! And make the Saudis and Netanyahu happy ! So cool !
Not humiliating, but exasperating.
1
This article treats European efforts to have rational discussion with Trump as weakness, and implicitly (or not) adopts Trump's word view: strength equals confrontation followed by domination. I don't see anything anything "humiliating" about Macron and Merkel coming to the U.S. to try to persuade Trump to change his mind, even though they failed. To the contrary, it's the adult thing to do.
2
Behind all this chaos, Trump's key motivation is to undo whatever Obama has done. That's the driver behind all his major 'policy' decisions. To be clear, these are not policies but rather reactionary 'statements' inspired by his passionate hatred for Obama.
1
It is a very American viewpoint to think that Trump humiliates other nations. He only humiliates us.
5
Europe weakness to Trump is why the Iran deal was weak. The Europeans leaders are just weak. Except when it came to pushing Obama around. The Paris climate deal was written up to punish the US. Not to curb CO2
2
There is no reason for European leaders to be humiliated. They should take pride in the fact that they are living up to the agreements, unlike Trump. He is proving to the world that the American Government no longer thinks it should live up to its commitments.
I, as an American citizen, am totally embarrassed by Trump's ignorance, hubris, rude and malicious behavior.
American companies are still going to find a way to do business with Europe, regardless of sanctions. Many Iranian rugs are imported here, even though Iranian goods are not supposed to be sent here. Somehow Cuban cigars can be obtained.
Maybe it is time for American companies to put pressure on Trump, take back their donations to his 2020 campaign. As we know, money talks. And that has never been in such evidence until this Administration.
3
Actually i would thank Donald. Look at what he "achieved" in less than two years. so imagine in four.. Not proud to say that, but Europeans after 70 years of cosy cocooning will be shortly in front of the wall of their future. Make it or disappear...And we are specialist of last minute common agreement. The ones still nurturing fading illusions of the yankee cousin will have to make their choice. I am not overly optimistic we ll remove our heads from the sand but the opportunity window is getting larger to take in our hands our destiny. it will not against america but for europe, for ourselves
Do or die i am afraid
So hard to make a friend, so easy to disappoint and forgo a friendship, whatever how old it is
1
What a depressing situation for those of us, including me, that are appalled that Trump is even in this role and those actions are causing more rifts in an already tenuous world.
If only there was a way to join something other than the 'US led by Trump", as he doesn't lead me and his objectives are antithetical to mine. I see alliances and reocgnizing our innate interconnectness the route to global peace and the betterment of life on Earth for all it's inhabitants.
Should we start a new 'party' - the global one that stands for One Planet, all united? I wonder how many members it would have?
It's the United States that should be feeling humiliated by Trump, not Europe.
20
Europe is feeling the same pain about China that the US is. Iran deal or not, Europe has to start paying its fair share for defense and not relying on the US to save the day.
2
Will you take half of the refugees that Europe has to take in due to conflicts the US bears a huge responsibility in? And what’s the US percentage of GDP that goes toward development aid? Europe most of all has to defend itself against Russian aggression - but Trump has allied himself with Putin...
6
If you live in the East Village and are pro Trump I’d strongly advise you not to advertise it in front of your neighbors.
1
Potentially the biggest winners will be China and Russia, who supported the initial boycott of Iran, but won't follow the US on this one. They will gladly pick up the business from US and European companies locked out by Trump.
4
One of the many troubling aspects about this issue are the claims made by those who were in favor of pulling out of the agreement (like the Times' own Bret Stephens). Their arguments are based in part on incorrect "facts" (Mr. Stephens had several errors in his recent column on the topic), and the belief that Trump thought this out thoroughly and has a well reasoned strategic plan. In fact, he's just going down his checklist of Obama-era things to undo. It's as simple as that, he's not capable of anything more complex and nuanced.
16
As much as I feel for Europe, they do share the blame for their predicament. With a much larger population and GDP than Russia, they have for decades now been perfectly capable of providing for their own defense, yet they have not shown the will to do so, preferring to push the risks and cost of this onto American servicemen and taxpayers. Now they find that outsourcing their security has costs after all. They cannot afford to alienate the ultimate guarantor of their freedom and thus have to accept any abasement that America chooses to send their way. If this results in their finally growing a backbone, maybe some good will come from this in the end.
5
I agree Heinz. I think that it would be a good thing, on many levels, for the EU to develop its own defense force, not the least of which is that it would enable to U.S. to finally, at long last, reduce its military commitments in that part of the world. The issue is that the EU does not want to have to pay for it. Well, money does talk, and if the EU is not willing to "put up" with its own euros for its own security, then it will have no choice but to "shut up" whenever the U.S. pursues a contrary course.
1
Did World Wars 1 and 2 never happen, or do we forget that those wars are the reasons why U.S. forces have for decades virtually occupied Europe? The people of Europe provide bases for us to carry out long-reach missions, and to treat our wounded, at no small risk or cost. When counting U.S. costs, don't forget the price Europe has paid, or how much damage is done by Trump's contrarian policy-making.
3
Unfortunately, this will not work. Germany’s industrial economy is more than twice the size of any other European country, and for them to have twice the the number of planes, ships, missiles and nukes would certainly cause their neighbors huge anxiety. The Germans have convincingly demonstrated that they can beat all the rest of Europe by themselves easily, unless the US intervenes.
Holmes
3
Excuse me? Europe humiliated? We are the ones that are humiliated every day by the excuse of the president and human being that currently occupies the White House.
18
NYT should get back to reporting the news, rather than pronouncing who must feel humiliated.
6
The Europeans have nothing to be humiliated about. They ought to proceed with the Agreement in the absence of the US. They will prove just how much trump has diminished the US in global influence and prestige. Perhaps when they do, those who believe the US has to insulate itself from the rest of the world will realize the cost.
7
"However angry and humiliated, those allies do not seem ready to confront Mr. Trump, wishing to believe that he and his aides can be influenced over time."
The wisecrack about second marriages is appropo. Trump is smashing our European alliances. This is beyond isolationism. Trump is peevish. So, the Chinese and Russians will attempt to fill the gap left by US absence in Europe, reforming all the protocols of the past 100 years. This should be interesting. The minimalizing of US influence by our President is stark in it's scope. WE will become a second class power overnight while Trump suddenly realizes what he has done.
4
NYT does it again ... misleading headlines. The thinking and intelligent people in this Country are humiliated and ashamed daily of our government. This is no different. When will our media say enough is enough and do what our corrupt government-appointed leaders will not???? Say it loud and clearly -- our Country is way worse than most "third world countries" and the constant 35% of our people too ignorant to know better need to move aside and stand down. They no longer are able to discern propaganda form facts nor do they care -- more pathetic.
VOTE! RESIST!
11
So now, why would North Korea trust Trump?
7
"Repulsed," "Horrified," "Enraged," Europe may well be by Donald Trump, but the only ones "Humiliated" are Americans.
How low we have fallen, how far, how fast. How paper thin our democracy.
12
Wow !!! Who'd have thought Congress was this morally conflicted, bankrupt and weak.....
Shame on the United States..... Shame on our obsessions with trivia (kanye west???).... Shame on our squandering of our many blessings....
9
What's humiliating about standing up to a boorish, ignorant bully? Our European allies are taking the right path.
7
“At this point, we have to replace the United States, which as an international actor has lost vigor, and because of it, in the long term, influence,” he said.
Good luck finding another patsy that will pay for your defense and funds your indulgent bureaucracies.
Instead of replacing the United States, how about you just make your own way in life.
3
Want a nuclear Germany?
I thought so.
2
The U.S. is humiliated...by Trump and by articles such as this one...
5
This headline is humiliating. It reads as if written by Fox and Friends.
4
Playing right into the hands of Russia. Congrats.
5
He does it AND he enjoys it immensely. He listened on the climate change agreement and walked out. And now this. The partners and allies should take him (and his experts) to task, to itemize and expand on their objections to the agreement as is. No one knows what his next move is.
This is the same thing he did on ACA and DACA, TPP, NAFTA. He simply denounces them 'unfair', 'horrible', 'a failure', with no explanation. Sure parts of the agreements could be suspect, but to jettison the whole pact, agreement just because he thinks it is 'horrible' is nonsensical. Just look at all the intellectual horsepower that went into crafting those agreements!
64
It doesn't matter what Trump does, the NYT and other MSM outlets will paint it as extreme and awful anyway. Walking away from Obama's personal agreement with Iran is meaningless, because Iran wasn't abiding by it. All that agreement did was give Iran it's $$ back, and clear America's allies to do business there again.
It wasn't a treaty, because it was not ratified, some of you folks need to read the constitution....at least once.
China is waiting on the edge. Trump thinks he can coerce through bullying. Europe will flee into China’s arms; China will interconnect Asia, Europe, Africa, and Australia; and the USA will become just another backwater country on the wrong side of world.
7
I suspect we should see an acceleration of China's unwinding of US Treasuries since the Trump Administration took over. The intent will be to use much of those reserve resources to support European businesses. Thus, enhancing EU interest in China's New Silk Road project. With Trump's latest slap, the EU is no longer flipping a coin. It must now roll the dice.
This should be a lesson for Europe; Look out for your own interest and let the US do what it wants. It's apparent that current US administration is only interested in dismantling Obama foreign policy and trying to erase his presidency from American history. So to the European leadership, don't rely too much on America for anything in the foreseeable future.
7
GOP, where are you (again)? For decades, Republicans were the strongest proponents of a functioning trans-Atlantic alliance and very cautious about any major unilateral moves by the US. Does anyone there beside John McCain care anymore?
It’s Putin’s declared goal to separate the US from its European and Asian partners and destroy our alliances - the Kremlin must be popping bottles of Champaign and toasting to Trump while this inept and dangerous administration (thanks Pompeo and Bolton) is wrecking our global world order at lighting speed and creating massive security risks for the globe.
I fear it will takes years if not decades to reverse the damage these clowns have caused in not even 500 days!
6
There is a serious vacuum of global leadership (both US and GB have turned nationalist). Should Trump remain president and win a second term, Europe might decide to count their losses and just join Russia and China.
1
"“Isn’t it wiser,” Ms Tocci asked, “to temporarily part ways with the Trump administration?” After all, she noted, something similar happened in 2003 over the American-led invasion of Iraq, yet relations were repaired when a new president came along.
There seems to me some value in this approach for the Europeans, and for all our Allies. Let them in other words, "shun this administration" and particularly Trump. And in 2020, they can begin to repair things with the next president, during his or her first 100 days.
2
It is time for the rest of the world to stop pandering to the US and chart a course that allows Mr. Trump to realize his US first policy alone. He’s willing to “shut down the country”, well, let him experience that goal. America First will become America Last. The rest of world economies will be thrown into chaos as well, but maybe it is time for a regime change and that turmoil is the cost of change. Sometimes the only way there is to respond to a bully is to stand up to him and Trump is the quintessential bully.
4
We gave our car key to an unruly teenager. So, we should expect reckless driving and wreckage.
6
The EU should cut ties with the US and enact sanctions.
3
Europe is humiliated by its greed to sell out the world to Iran in exchange for commercial trading with Iran.
3
Trump is busy trying to destroy the only tool available to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power. Eliminating the deal will leave Iran free to resume developing weapons. Trump is a dangerous combination of ignorance and foolishness.
1
I would say the exact opposite happened, that Trump is the one who was humiliated... except he is shameless and doesn't recognize that he should take responsibility or blame for anything.
"Europe, Again Humiliated by Trump, Struggles to Defend Its Interests"
1
I grew up in Ireland and now live in the UK. I can't speak for politicans or diplomats but Europeans I don't think feel humiliated by Trump. We are wondering what happened to the shining city on the hill. To be honest I think alot of us began to ask that qustion in the George W. Bush era. Merkel was right when she said "we are on our own now" after visiting Trump. It's sad, but I think we are better off.
110
One can be humiliated only by someone who deserves respect. Trump has trashed America’s European allies and shamed Americans but the humiliation rests on those who still support him.
4
Eoin,
I never thought there could possibly be someone who’d make me miss Dubya...and then Trump was elected. Now we’re living in the Twilight Zone.
The EU needs to stop cajoling him. Cut him off cold turkey, make him crawl back to you. We sane Americans will thank you if Europe can make him heel.
4
Trump is humiliating America. This writer should get a passport and accompany Trump to London in July to experience that humiliation at first hand. The international resentment towards Trump, and by default the US itself, is real and growing. Sad.
10
As a Brit who is now an American citizen, next week I will travel back to visit England. I will embarrassed to show my US Passport. This isn't the country I moved to 30 years ago or the country I became a citizen of 10 years ago.
11
The only way to regain respect for the United States is to turn out the vote across the country and throw these anti-patriot Republicans out of office across the country. They have no respect for America.
12
The man is a menace to cornerstones of the Transatlantic alliance and American post-war values.
9
We should be thanking President Trump for this basic civics lesson. When a president rules like an autocrat, with a "pencil and a phone", instead of engaging our established system of democratic norms, anything he or she does can be undone by any successor.
I find it amusing that the president everyone praises as the model of respect for our democracy actually behaved like an autocrat, and the president everyone accuses of behaving like an autocrat has actually adhered by our Constitutional norms.
3
First it was the refugee crisis and now a dysfunctional U.S. crisis all illustrating the reality of the EU’s inability to function in response to threats. Europe should not feel humiliated but terrified for their very existence. The Iranian agreement was between the major powers of the moment - U.S., UK, EU, Russia, and China. Trump’s action and Europe’s hesitation to react has shifted all the power to Russia and China. Without U.S. or European support, both Saudi Arabia and Israel will have to broker peace with the East, not the West. China’s One Road/Belt project runs right through Iran which now becomes very valuable real estate. Saudi Arabia wants to seek investors in Aramco and the Chinese have the cash and the desire to control the world’s petroleum reserves. The West, both America and Europe, are beyon humiliation, they are essentially irrelevant and there is no leader to stop its inevitable decline.
3
Trump humiliated the U.S. not Europe.
7
Perhaps its time the leaders of the EU and Britain called for a summit with Russia and China and don't invite Trump .I'm certain that they have more in common with the EU's desire for peace than Mr. Trump.
5
Quoting this morning's report on the deaths of four American soldiers:
"Were it not for the arrival of French Mirage aircraft that made low, roaring passes in a show of force that scattered the extremists, far more Americans and their Nigerien partners likely would have been killed in what, ultimately, was the largest loss of United States troops during combat in Africa since the 1993 'Black Hawk Down' debacle in Somalia.
"'Nigerien and French units assisted without hesitation,' according to the investigation’s eight-page executive summary that the Pentagon released on Thursday. It said the allied forces 'very likely saved the lives of U.S. and Nigerien soldiers, several of whom were wounded in the attack.'"
Hello? Allies! Allies help one another. Allies save each other's lives. Allies live up to their agreements and cooperate with each other. The Europeans take their agreements seriously. If it were not for our French allies, more American families would be mourning the loss of their children.
And yet a portion of this country is blind and stupid enough to follow a will-o-the-wisp like Trump, who has no idea what real loyalty is. He is marching us all toward Armageddon, to the delight of the insane faction of the Christian church. What a betrayal of American values.
6
Perhaps Europe should've gotten "consulting services" from Michael Cohen before the visit last month?
3
Humiliated or infuriated?
The NYT should not humiliate Europe with this headline. Europe may have failed to change Trump's mind, but when does he ever listen to anyone? He does not even listen to his own advisers.
2
I doubt that anyone in Europe is humiliated by Trump. Being deprecated by him is considered a plus.
4
Sometimes leading means bleeding! Whether we like it or not, leadership takes guts and more often than not it means going against the mainstream.
What is more important to European leaders, the security of the Middle East and the need to restrain Iran's move toward ever-more capable ballistic missiles or the potential for increased business with the Iranian regime? Isn't that obvious?
What is more important to European leaders, acting 'boldly' in response to humiliation by President Trump or moving to address the shortfalls they admitted existed in the faulty agreement (it was a treaty, really) with Iran? Isn't that also obvious?
1
The question in my mind is: are there legal remedies with teeth that will protect European companies from secondary sanctions? Surely if one country goes rogue and withdraws from an agreement made by the community of nations (quite possibly with the intent of provoking a war between Iran and Israel--remember how close we ere in 2015?) that it should not have the right to impose sanctions on everyone who does not buy into the same fantasies. The WTO or someone should be able to protect the majority.
I guess another way to put it is, if one country imposes sanctions that no one else agrees with, are we still talking about sanctions, or is this some kind of piracy or economic warfare? And what is the remedy when the pirate is so big?
As a strong believer in the EU and cooperation, it is the WH and it's occupant and cronies who are being humiliated. Day by day the EU will become (the EU member countries before the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Nordic and Baltic EU members in particular) stronger and will continue to show leadership, moral backbone and a shared interest to protect democracy, human rights, the environment, the Arctic region and so on while DT continues to be a frightfully dangerous risk to world peace. In addition the 45th is wrecking havoc for global trade relations, reduces the opportunities for the well being of lower and middle income Americans and enriching his cronies.
3
As a European, I think it would be a good idea to refuse a visa for any European country to any Trump supporter ( detectable via social media), or card-carrying Republican. It might be a bit painful for the tourism industry, but what fun it would be, to see them getting a taste of their own medicine! Priceless... But just a dream, of course! ;-)
2
Nobody in Europe feels humiliated. Trump is simply unsettling the very settled ways in which governments have come to appreciate their work hours. On Iran, Trump is probably right and it is a better strategy than the containment strategy that Obama chose; containment of authoritarian regimes hardly ever works, Merkel and Macron should know better, really. But then, Merkel is not very smart in general, definitely not enough for a political leader and many people in Germany think so. And Obama never stood up for anything, and many American think so. In the end, a regime change in Iran would be a solution, rather than a deferal. Isn't that what strategy should aim at?
2
I don't accept the title of this puff piece. The US military and the IAEA have said repeatedly Iran is in full compliance with the agreement. It is the trump regime, and America, that is humiliated not Europe because it is they who stand by their agreements and not us. They have honor we do not. We have become a country led by a real estate con man selling slogans and one liner solutions to his base. The more the US tries to bully the mideast the more the mideast will unify in their hatred of the US. A real leader would have built a best possible coalition and started new discussions about ballistic missiles, attacks on Israel and sending their militias into other countries (like we do).
3
One of my Russian friends laughed at all the foreign policy nonsense Trump is undertaking. "This is good for the rest of the world," he said. "As the US declines, Russia, China, Iran, and Europe will step into the vacuum. International reliance on the Euro or even the Rembi rather than the dollar will increase, and trade among them will prosper. Let the US sanction itself in regard to Iran -- other companies will cease their connections with the US if the cost is too great." Unfortunately for the US, this makes sense. Trump is shooting our country in the foot.
9
The US (and Saudis and Israel) ridicule obsession with Iran deserve a good cold shower.
In face of such childish US behaviour, I suggest the 8000 non-American Nato members (mostly European) pull their forces from Afghanistan and leave the remaining 15000 US soldiers deal with the situation alone.
It would be a good signal that the inability from the US to be adult and respect signed treaties (Paris Climate Agreement, Iran Nuclear deal, etc.) and unwillingness listen to allies has a cost and must stop.
2
I really can't wait for the midterms. Hopefully the Republican Party is TOTALLY decimated and gives the Democrats the tools they need to impeach this President.
One can only hope that America's traditional allies can wait long enough for the Democrats to do what they need to do.
Every day with this man as "Leader of the Free World" is complete agony for me.
3
Europe was not humiliated by Trump. The USA was humiliated by him.
3
If you Americans believe that Trump is an accidental president, you are gravely mistaken. This is only the beginning of the US downward spiral.
Time for us Europeans to leave the sinking ship...
2
Europeans aren't humiliated. They have honorably held up their end of the deal. Americans are the ones who are turning their backs on the longest and most solid of alliances we have.
We are the ones who are behaving badly, and we should be ashamed of ourselves for electing this administration and allowing it to behave like an erratic drunk driver, swerving crazily all over the globe, endangering everyone who gets in our way.
Other countries would be right to be suspicious of us, and ought to go out of their way to avoid us as long as this corrupt, dishonest, and disloyal administration holds the reins of power.
115
Europeans groveling at Trump's feet just feeds his narcissism. They have to organize in favor of their own interests and freeze out the US. The next US president will be sane and extend a hand to the Europeans. Let's just hope they take it.
4
I hope that Europe does seek to defend its interests in many ways, including self-defense - and I hope that Europe ponies up for it so that the U.S. can finally reduce its own military commitments in that area of the world.
Europe has two choices:
(i) Try to minimize the damage Trump is doing until after the next election and work to rebuild the western alliance, or (ii) step up reassert European leadership, leaving the U.S marginalized as Trump and the American first isolationist crowd desire.
I guess there's a third choice, do nothing and watch Russia or China step into the leadership void.
3
Donald Trump is leading all right. Europe just doesn't want to follow. (To the extent that there is a monolithic "Europe".) And why should they? There's little question that we think differently about a lot of things. Nothing wrong with that.
There's no humiliation in talking about things, bringing your best arguments to bear, and then losing out. That happens all the time in the best businesses and governments. When you need to worry is when everyone starts to think the same.
As to Iran, Donald Trump has the better idea. Iran is complaining fiercely about the United States backing out of the deal. Why? Because it was a great deal for Iran, and not so great for us.
Iran had already signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968, and continues to be bound by its provisions. By signing a new deal, we gave Iran concessions in exchange for it agreeing to do what it had already agreed to do and leaving it free to make mayhem in the region. That's not a smart deal.
What will happen next? No one knows. No one can know. Iran is certainly free to choose war over peace, and persecution over prosperity. But at least we will no longer be abetting it in that choice. If Europe wants to, let them.
2
I'm confused.
Why can't Europe work to support it's own interests and why would that be so bad?
Is it because their tax money would be used instead of mine?
4
EU economy is bigger than that of the US. If you're referring to NATO, you're welcome to leave that chore to Putin.
2
It may be worth remebering that Europe didn’t exactly beg the US to have its troops stationed all over the place. That’s been US international policy since the Cold War - which, by the way, ended almost 30 years ago. If you’re worried about your tax money, look to the Iraq war and to tax cuts for the rich.
6
Margo,
As a resident of Georgia your collective federal income tax doesn’t even cover your own states expenses. Georgia, like Tennessee and other red states take more from the federal government than they give. It’s the blue states that subsidized red states like ours and other government expenditures.
2
I see Europe as courageous - not "humiliated".
I'm humiliated. Every American who cares about OUR international standing and who doesn't want WW3 should be humiliated into taking strong action to stop The Con Don and his Robber Baron brethren.
Europe can be proud. They have lived through many wars, brought on by the same brand of Robber Barons who want to start WW3 to increase their wealth and try to take over the world.
Average, peace-loving people around the world are the only ones who can/will stop them and NOW is the time.
Stand tall Europe! WE are with you.
8
Let me correct that for you: 'Europe has lived through 2 World Wars that they started'.
Europe is becoming increasingly irrelevant and incapable of defending their worldwide interests due to a lack of investment over decades. The solution is to step up and walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.
1
When will Europe decide that they too can influence US elections. As the U.S. does not care to address this problem with respect to Russia, it will not take much for Europe to realize that it would be in their interest to influence our elections in a way that would favor them. Certainly they would want to do what they can to make sure that Trump does not serve a second term.
6
this article notes that Europeans are concerned about the rule of law in Hungary and Poland. better also be worried about the rule of law in the U.S. On top of that, Trump was installed by the Russians, and recent moves by him look like they were dictated by the Kremlin.
No concerted government action on climate change may be the most dangerous of these. How to go this latter alone w/o American participation may be the most difficult. A reverse Marshal Plan might work. Offer our TVA funds to go zero emissions, which should be easy to accomplish as their grid is mostly hydro. It is also the heart of our political obstruction landscape. That would be obstruction to everything worthwhile such as distributive justice and public safety (guns).
7
Trump's action was in no way a violation of the rule of law. This was an agreement between Barack Obama and Iran. The United States of America was not a signatory.
A majority of the American people appreciate and prefer a close bond and relationship, between the US and Europe. This is the oldest alliance, and going back several decades. The partnership has contributed to developing and establishing democratic values and institutions, around the world. This must continue. Not to do so, will make the world to back to the history books, which is not what today's generation and the next would like to see.
This is not only a challenge for leaders in Europe, but, here in the US as well. Exercising patience and a belief in continued dialog and diplomacy can seek the solutions. This can only be done with both the US and the allies in Europe standing firm and stay consistent in the beliefs.
7
It's not so much an alliance as the US being the guarantor of peace and security in Europe.
WE are humiliated by the Russian puppet, not Europe.
18
Both parties are being humiliated.
Given Trump's 180 on the Iran nuclear deal, European leaders should impose economic sanctions on the U.S.
19
I think it's wrong to say that Mr. Trump's bad decisions "humiliate" other nations. They humiliate us, the United States.
20
You got it wrong. Trump humiliated the United States by violating the Iran Accord, strengthening the hand of the hard-line mullahs and showing we could not be trusted.
In other words, we're a feckless enemy . . . and an even worse ally.
21
The Republican leadership and their feckless cronies in Congress placed the most ignorant incompetent person in history into the White House. Donald Trump humiliates not only Europe but every citizen of the United States who has one shred of patriotism and/or at least one functioning brain cell.
21
Just exactly what "interests" do the Europeans have in Iran, OTHER than preventing them from becoming a nuclear power? Obtaining Iranian oil? Selling goods and services to Iran?
Who says that the Iranian nuclear pact was a good pact, from either US or European perspectives? Everyone who supported it saw it as "the best deal we could get." But was it the European allies who prevented a stronger deal, because of "their own interests?"
Let's hear a frank explanation of what these "European interests" are.
8
Well, when the deal was negotiated, everyone's interests included preventing a peremptory strike by Israel, stopping a nuclear arms race in the region, and supporting the elements in Iran who wished their country to play a more peaceful role in the world. And there was a certain amount of money to be made in rebuilding the Iranian economy. Now, the only difference is that some investments have already been made and so the economic interests are a bit stronger, though not huge. Everything else is pretty much the same. In a few years, hopefully, the more belligerent elements in Iran's complicated political arena would have been weakened and more carrots and sticks could have been discussed.
2
Self aggranizement of EU officials is the primary “European interest”’jeopardized by Trump’s move.
Exhibit A: Federica Mogherini.
Of course Europe's interests are preventing nuclear war, purchasing oil, and selling goods and services. That's literally the bulk of any nation's (or trading bloc's) interest in any other country.
Iran is also an emerging market of 60 million people, many of whom are young, extremely educated, liberal, and keen as mustard to live, work, and study in Europe. Hopefully they also want to buy German cars and Scottish shortbread, which is in Europe's 'interest'.
Speaking as a European, our interests certainly don't lie in pacifying the US because it still has its knickers in a twist over the Iranian hostage crisis and the fact that Iran deposed the US's pet shah. Nor do they lie in indulging Netanyahu's game of Armageddon chicken.
The deal was imperfect, but it was a diplomatic path which eliminated the nuclear threat for a decade and provided a pathway for normalisation and dialogue. The people who scrapped it are buffoons; hopefully Europe can make it work still with the US on the sidelines.
4
Sorry, Dan T, I think you have that backwards. If any nation is failing to live up to its stated ideals at this moment in history, it is the U.S. Whoever told you otherwise is misinformed or lying to you.
Germany is not humiliated; we Americans are. Germany does put its money where its mouth is. For example, it has taken in hundreds of thousands of war refugees from wars we have had a hand in starting. We've accepted 11 Syrian refugees, I believe. Other people are cleaning up our messes, Dan.
19
Trump humiliated Europe while humiliating the USA.
3
Make no mistake about it. The real threat to us Europeans is an incompetent, ignorant, corrupt and possibly compromised US president. It was the U.S. that stopped Iran from being a moderate state in order to protect its own interest in 1953 and its trying to do the same here. We know what this is all about, warmongers like John Bolton looking to make money for your military industrial complex. What Trump says or does means less and less to us. We will deal with Climate change, Iran, Russia and whatever else comes our way, with or without you.
17
Sky,
True, Bolton wants a regime change in Iran.
However, the 1953 coup was a joint mission by the US and Britain to install Shah Pahlavi in order to gain control of regional oil reserves.
This was done because the Iranian government was moving to control of Anglo-Persian Oil Company. Since the coup that company is known as British Petroleum (BP).
It's caused a hornet's nest of trouble ever since.
3
Two thoughts in response to Sky. 1) Bolton and his ilk may see $ signs in war, but I fear there is something deeper and more disturbing: a belief in some kind of apocalyptic showdown between the forces of good and evil, the West and the rest. It is not often spoken of in daylight, but I think it is there, and it would explain the irrationality of breaking our deal with Iran and the other signatories. 2) Alas, we share the planet, and Trumpian indifference to the health and welfare of Americans is in effect indifference to the health and welfare of every human on the planet. The Russians you can deal with, though. Go for it.
4
Russia is frequently mentioned in these comments,,,,someone writes ..^What happens when Russia marches into Poland?^Do people ever ever thing about the realities of life?In what way would Russia a capitalist country population 142 million have anything to gain by trying to occupy and hold down Poland with its large land area and population 38 million/ Yes Hitler could do it with a deliberate level of appalling terror where German troops would go into a kindergarten class and spray it with machine gun bullets leaving (the lucky ones dead) the others in agony and no morphine available...What insanity can you be thinking of..
And Russias interference in the American elections...
I am British and have observed US Presidents since Truman In what way did any Presidents policies differ from any other regarding Russia, always viewed as a threat which when the USSR collapsed in 1990 we were told it never was something used merely to keep Americas arms industry thriving and making the USSR waste its money on defence thus keeping its people poor in western style consumers goods thus proving Communism was no good.
What nonsensical fantasies our rulers feed us!!
But its true America being always determined to rule the world does bitterly resent Russias 750 nuclear tipped missiles..they are the peas under the US Princesses mattress.......
1
Baloney. The US helped Russia in the '90s to hold itself together, even essentially amalgamating its space program with that of Russia so that Russian scientists and engineers would stay in Russia and not migrate to Iraq, Iran and such places.
My advice for Europe and indeed for the World, is to disassociate yourselves from the US, A.S.A.P. We have little to offer except endless War. We roil the World, but in the long run, I don't like our chances.
10
Excellent reporting by Steven Erlanger. Really helpful comments also. My first reaction, was to cheer on Europe to split with Trump, and make their own way with Iran, and work for a new world order without the United States. Let NATO break up. Replace American suppliers for Airbus with suppliers from Asia.
But no, a better and more Machiavellian approach would be to start by asking, What would Sun Tsu recommend?
One of his golden rules was, never fight, unless you are sure you will win or your survival depends on it. So the Europeans, whose humiliation is dwarfed by our own, should just suck it in and bide their time, and wait out the Trump administration, which should be a short, tempestuous embarrassment for the United States and the NATO alliance. Europe can offer secret payments to Iran, to hold up their nuclear arms development until Trump is voted out of office or impeached. The Iranians should allow the inspections to continue, till they see what happens by the 2020 election. The Europeans can quietly try to send money to dummy companies that will invest in political donations, helping to overthrow Donald Trump and his nativist, usually Republican, anti-science, and somewhat absurdly, pro-Russian minions. England should stop playing into Putin's hands, and cancel Brexit.
David Lindsay Jr. is the author of "The Tay Son Rebellion, Historical Fiction of Eighteenth-century Vietnam," and blogs at TheTaySonRebellion.com and InconvenientNewsWorldwide.wordpress.com
6
President Trump is humiliating to the majority of Americans as well. I have always tried to look at the world as a community of nations, the goal being to celebrate the diverse species that humanity is, to seek to negate war before it negates us, to starve hunger and poverty out of lives by assisting the stricken. The United States should not lose sight of its historical legacy, though this president would seek to present us as selfish and isolated. We are a great nation because we came from many nations and we do not forget this.
4
Nothing wrong with encouraging Europeans to strike out on their own. For 70+ years now, we've fostered them and kept them under our wing in most important geopolitical matters. But they're now powerful independent nations that can strike their own policy (with a newly ascendant military it appears). Perhaps they'll land on something that works with a regime like Iran's and we'll be forced to admit that they were right. Who knows? Until then, we're both entitled to part ways. Did Europe and the US expect this "alliance" (which it isn't at least pertaining to the Iran Plan) to last forever?
1
Trump's grossly dysfunctional personality loves disruption, dismantling, tearing down, opposing, hating ... his psyche gets rewarded for this ... he's kind of an anarchist ... if there are apparent positive outcomes, these are really unintended consequences ... there is no conventional rationality here ... and if we all knew all the persons or organizations egging him on (we know some), we'd be really (even more) angry ... he is like the Tasmanian Devil with a fire being lit under him ...
11
Is Europe putting corporate profits that would be lost with Sanctions above the security of the United States and Israel?
In my opinion Israel and its friend and supporter the United States, are the most likely targets of a Nuclear Iran.
Europe seems to largely look the other with regard to Irans potential proxy activities.
3
The answer to John's question is: no. There seems to be a gap of understanding between those who think an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities was the way to make Israel secure and those who think a cessation of Iran's nuclear program with inspectors going where missiles cannot reach was the way to make the entire region more secure. In deciding between the two, perhaps it would help to ask which course provides the better basis for supporting moderates within Iran.
3
The US and Israel aren't in Europe, Europe has no obligation to tailor its foreign policy to the whims of Trump and Netanyahu.
But regardless, if you don't want a nuclear Iran, don't scrap the agreement in which Iran says 'OK, we won't make a bomb, here, you can check it'.
The proxy activities of Iran in Syria are malignant but irrelevant to the nuclear deal as they have nothing to do with nuclear missiles. Europe was more than willing to pressure Iran to stop those too, as three separate European leaders made clear.
36
SS:My understanding is that military sites are excluded from inspection from Iran's point of view.
CV: While there me be no legal obligation for Europe to protect Israel from annihilation, it is the right thing to do though not the profitable thing to do.
The men on the French train did not have to charge the terrorist saving lives. Nor did the Texas man have to pursue a gunman who had been shooting up a church. Sometimes you do things t ok serve the interests of humanity even when it counters your own.
When can have Neville Chamberlain's peace "Peace in our time" appeasement attitude or we can act like Churchill.
1
I’m sure that Trump is savoring this headline.
Mission Accomplished !!
1
"To some, it is reminiscent of what Samuel Johnson said of second marriages: a triumph of hope over experience."
The third time? Well...you might just be an idiot.
6
Bought and paid for by Putin
3
More likely: bought and paid for by Saudi Arabia.
This is a prelude for war.Plan B is a coordinated bombing campaign by Israel and America to destroy Iran! Bunker busting bombs supplied by the the U.S.!
2
"Europe . . . Humiliated by Trump?"
The United States is humiliated by Trump.
Europe is not run by an Insane Clown Posse.
10
Our allies can only take so much. How long do you think it'll be before we start seeing sanctions against US?
1
The Europeans shouldn’t appease Trump. We know what happens when a ruthless dictator is appeased.
6
The European Union should amend their "blocking regulation" so it would only sanction golf resorts in Europe owned by Americans.
3
You should never trust El Trumpo unless he says he is going to do something mean nasty dangerous and or stupid. If he says he will do something destructive and stupid he eventually will do it. His psychology demands that he "keep his word" and it is only these throw away remarks that stick in his mind to be followed through on because on the other things he is dissociating so that he can pretend to "believe" whatever it is he needs to seem to believe in the moment. Those things don't stick because they are fluid and do not register in memory in the same way throw away remarks about things he is not dissociating to dissemble about do.
1
Well Trump is going to weaken the alliance with Europe to accomplish what good end for the U.S.? Seriously, what does this kind of rejection of our relations with the European states provide that benefits the U.S.? Not one thing. European states like Germany, the U.K., and France have not dragged the U.S. into war nor economic crisis since WWII. But the U.S. has drawn European allies into both. The only European countries that have caused great trouble have been those controlled by Russia and countries formerly controlled by Russia/U.S.S.R.
But here is the beneficiary in all this, Putin’s Russia has more ability to influence the European states with Trump as the President. I’d say that Trump is going to get what he personally wants from Putin, whatever that might be, and the U.S. is going to foot the bill.
Looks like Bibi is going to see Trump attempt to go to war with Iran to overthrow the regime in that country as Netanyahu most certainly wants. Trump is no madman leading an invincible superpower, he’s a cat’s paw for men who know how to manipulate him, because he’s just a weak and foolish human being holding a high office without any understanding and no conscience.
7
Europe saw what happened when Tony Blair threw the UK behind Bush and marched into Baghdad with us. Our royalist president and his chicken hawks who never heard the shrieks and wails of the wounded or the stench of death want war with Iran, so their decision has even more ramifications for humanity than the invasion of Iraq, one of the worst military blunders in American history. Islam is currently embroiled in religious strife that has plagued Christianity during the Orthodox/Catholic/Protestant spasms of hatred. Who are we with thousands of nukes to tell Iran they can't defend themselves, especially after Reagan supplied Saddam with chemical and biological weapons to use against Iran.
2
Putin's shill has done his work. Champagne corks are popping in Moscow.
6
"Humiliated" is not how anyone over here is feeling in relation to Trump.
Other options:
Concerned, embarrassed, baffled, exasperated, annoyed, peeved, ashamed, flustered, betrayed, disappointed.
Recommending "disappointed".
8
I cannot help but feel empathy for the other countries leaders, the uncertainty rippling around the world because of this man who thrives on creating chaos. The ramifications for his recklessness will be on the American people. He has further destroyed our nation's credibility and there is no telling if we will ever recover. Isolating our country is the WRONG way to go, we cannot be isolationist and then attempt to dictate how the rest of the world behaves. That is the definition of absolute hypocrisy in my book.
1
No. Trump destroyed Obama's credibility.
There was no treaty. The American people were against the deal and so was Congress. So Obama simply ordained it himself against the will of our elected representatives, Republicans and Democrats.
If you want to live by the Executive Order, you'll die by Executive Order. And nearly everything that Obama depends on as his legacy has been thrown into history's trash bin as a result. Good riddance.
3
@Rocky: What is this with "the American people"? Who appointed you spokesman for us all? I supported the Iran deal and was glad to witness diplomacy in action, rather than see our children in uniform be sent off to fight in another idiotic, useless war. Many other Americans think as I do. You do not speak for us.
1
If Europeans are truly the friends of the American people (and I think they are) they should help us by blowing Donald Trump off. They should not validate the policies that a majority of Americans simply don't support.
4
Leaders like Macron should remember this lesson (which is repeated over and over through anything this treasonous administration does or says). Instead, Macron acted like a little lapdog buddy when he was here. Does he not remember the "poodle" behavior and moniker that brought down Blair?
1
Why use "Humiliated"? Why not "Challenged"? Tone things down a bit. You know, act better than those around around.
3
Just one more Trump policy that coincidentally aligns with Russian interests. Just a coincidence, though.
Did I mention that this is just a coincidence?
6
Other than keeping a campaign promise, has Mr. Trump achieved anything by unilaterally and arrogantly opting out of the Iran nuclear deal? All signatories to the deal international agencies vested with the authority to monitor it are convinced that it is working. Mr. Trump has not produced one convincing evidence to substantiate his claim that it is not.
There is hope, however, that he is not going to succeed in getting the entire deal scrapped. As cited in the article, the foreign ministers of Britain, France and Germany have decided to meet with Iranian officials “to consider the entire situation.” Also as stated in the article, French President Emmanuel Macron has already spoken by telephone with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, and issued a statement thereafter saying that it was “the will of France to continue to enforce the Iran nuclear deal in all its dimensions.” That is, the deal will most likely be saved, with the U.S. shunned to the sidelines. Will Mr. Trump and his minions be happy to live with that humiliation?
What is the next blunder Mr. Trump is contemplating? Taking the U.S. out of NATO? He had hinted at that some time back. That will be the end of the era when the U.S. played a leadership role in all international initiatives aimed at preserving world peace. That will also mark the demise of the U.S. as the leader of the free world.
The free world is not going to put up with Trumpian stupidities much longer.
1
"Humiliation"??
I think he helps making a united Europe more UNITED.
I suggest to listen to Macron's interview on German tv yesterday. https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/macron-403.html
1
Now is the time for the nations of the world to have nothing to do with the US. The other nations of the world have for too long appeased the US and this has allowed it to become aggressive, dictatorial and warmongering. By uniting, the other nations of the world can rein in the US and let it know that it is part of the world, not its ruler. The fact that the US is threatening any country that does not support its proposed sanction against Iran shows how arrogant and dictatorial it has become. Tell the US to stick it!
7
It is time for the world to stand up to Trump. The major economic powers should declare any new US sanctions on Iran illegal, and that they will ignore them. They should also declare that any attempt by the US to sanction their companies for dealing with Iran (see the front page on ZTE) will be met by reciprocal sanctions on US companies.
3
The entire planet is humiliated by President Don Con.
5
It wasn't the Americans it was our Infant Terrible Pretender President Trump who is entirely responsible for the split. He happily put the interest of American Oil, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Israel above our alliance with Europe.
4
Its more like, Trump embaresses himself infront of Europe.
3
The Obama negotiated agreement was a treaty but unlike a treaty, Obama did not follow the Constitution and have 2/3 of the Senate ratify agreement.
Even Democratic Senate Minority (NY) Schumer was against the Obama agreement with Iran. Thus, it was a bipartisan effort that tried to stop the bad agreement with Iran.
Both the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and The Simon Wiesenthal Center, a global human rights organization, agree that Trump did the correct thing to pull out of the Obama agreement and to renegotiate the agreement that Obama should have negotiated in the first place.
The truth is that Obama negotiated a poor agreement and did not even consult the Democratic Senate Leadership for approval, let alone attempt a 2/3 Senate vote.
People try to wrongly frame the reopening of the Obama agreement with Iran as a GOP issue or a right-wing issue, but Schumer going against that agreement, the ADL, and The Simon Wiesenthal Center demonstrate otherwise.
In other words, the "blame" goes toward Obama, who did not even consult his own Democratic Party Senate leadership for approval.
5
remember friends - you're dealing with a guy who still acts like a game show host and he's just looking for higher ratings in the may sweeps.
hold tight. we made a huge mistake in our last election, have recognized it, and we are in the process of rectifying it.
7
There is a suggestion that Trump's goal is "regime change in Iran." Is that possible? Can Trump install a new shah?
The goal is unworkable, but even if it were possible it would not end the bitter Shia - Sunni schism that is the root cause of many of the problems in the Middle East.
By taking sides, the US inflames that schism. The only outcome is increased violence in the Middle East.
Does anyone benefit from inflaming sectarian divides?
2
The Europeans have said they will work hard to maintain the Iran agreement fully. Iran will almost certainly accept, as it gives them two victories, followed by a possible third. First, they will be able to sell oil freely. Second, they will separate Europe from America in an important way, while thumbing their nose at Donald Trump. Third, and most importantly, businesses all around the world, who want to trade with Iran, are going to begin sealing themselves off from American financial institutions. The more Trump tries to play hardball, the more this will accelerate. European financial institutions will gladly accept the new business, not to mention the Chinese. Going down this road could cause permanent damage to American financial institutions.
5
Further proof that the new leaders of international cooperation are Germany, France and the EU. I just wish that Germany would really take the mantle of leader, but I understand why, for historical reasons, that Germany is unwilling to truly own that title.
I think if Europe was really serious about moving on it should really work towards moving on and put the euro to real work. The US doesnt want to cooperate? Fine, all commodities in and out of Europe are traded in euros. The US refuses to acknowledge climate change? Fine, all oil in and out of Europe is in euros.
Europe is the world's largest trading region and Germany is the third largest economy in the world... Act like it.
6
The cheese stands alone, the cheese stands alone, hi ho the derry-oh, the cheese stands alone. When our allies and enemies wake up and realize cheese=POTUS, we're toast.
1
Talk about jingoism and ethnocentricity. As others here have pointed out, Europe is invested in protecting an international order, unlike the US whose actions always come with strings attached. They’re not “humiliated.”
6
Maybe we would start listening to Angela Markel when she commits her wealth society to paying for her great ideas.
3
@William Smallshaw: Germany is spending billions to take in refugees, feeding, clothing, and housing people driven from their countries by a war that we are helping to pay for, because above all else we value making arms dealers rich.
The Germans are doing the real Christian thing: putting their money where their mouths are, and helping the less fortunate.
In the meantime, we Americans spend most of our tax money on weapons designed to kill and maim other people. We are the bad actors in this scenario, and we ought to be ashamed of ourselves for our belligerence and hostility toward our fellow human beings.
4
Europe is not humiliated, over 60 million Americans are humiliated over this rogue POTUS. Trump is illegimate, he has been from day one, he is a money launderer and morally bankrupt.
We have turned into a rogue nation run by a small minority who use lies, bullying and manipulating the press to maintain control.
Trump and his regime are dangerous to the American citizens and the world. Thank goodness Europe still has leaders who are humanitarians, intelligent and put their country first before their own self interests. Europe must protect democracy, the US is a lost cause. Trump has ruined this country.
16
As a US citizen I cannot wait for the time that the world places sanctions on the US and forces it to accept a Crimes Against Humanity Commission.
3
We Europeans aren't really humiliated. After all the best of all mankind or even just of all allies is not at the core of politics -- each party's own interests are, and legitimately so. But we are truly amazed at the motley crew the American political system swept into the offices tasked with ruling the country. With some perspective we realize that it is not the first time though: Nixon was just as morally corrupt; Reagan was just as incompetent. The difference is that Trump has no values but audience ratings; worse, he does not know other values exist. They are not part of his moral grammar. He is fundamentally unable to understand what it means to be a human or American. He cannot understand the essence of the office of president any more than a blind man can see the sun.
27
I love the closing line on your response. It is completely accurate and eloquently phrased. Thank you for sharing your perspective.
10
The Europeans seem clueless about how to "negotiate" with a constantly shifting, untrustworthy bully like Trump--you don't. The proper approach to Trump's violation of the Iran agreement is to pass a law making it illegal for any European company to comply with sanctions that the U.S. may impose, to help European companies obtain contracts in Iran from which U.S. companies will now be excluded, and to buy Iranian oil (which may now have a lower price), all of which will benefit Europe. If the U.S. causes problems for European companies, then the next step would be to impose sanctions on the U.S. for its violation of international law. Had Europe not been mealy-mouthed up front, and made it clear what its response to a U.S. breach would be, then Europe might have been able to prevent Trump's folly. Europe can still take advantage of the long term opportunities available due to Trump's folly.
5
Break our historic alliances, exactly what Putin wants.
PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE!
11
I do not think Europe should care about what Trump says in this case or for that matter in any other case. First of all, we are not dealing with a "normal" president. The circumstances of his election are very suspicious. He may have committed treason against his own country. The FBI has been investigating that and other dubious issues of his. He is a notorious liar and allegedly a sex harasser. Above all, he has proved that he cannot be trusted, not matter what he puts forward. He cannot "humiliate" Europe. That is not how world politics is planned and conducted. He has been only making a fool of himself and harming his country amateurishly "on all sides". It is about time Europe and the rest of the world stood together against acts of political and economic bullying. The world is not at the receiving end of Trump's and his counsellors' erratic world view. And they should be taught that lesson for a change...
5
Trump is a mob boss, the EU needs to treat him like one.
9
World - 2 disagrees with Trump.
It is not just Europe that was snubbed (not humiliated) by Trump, it was the entire world (with one or two exceptions).
The World has deferred to the US for 80 years.
That ended 18 05 09.
The World - 2 will find ways to work around the US until the US regains it footing and once again takes a constructive role.
3
If Europe wants to send a message, they should convince their citizens to not vacation in the states for the rest of the Trump presidency. Some might be surprised by the economic impact of that ... especially in large parts of Trumplandistan where small gateway communities rely on that influx of money.
5
Europe is not humiliated by Trump. Europe is the adult in the room. Trump humiliates America every single day. Sometimes every single hour.
9
Please do what you need to do to keep the rest of the world safe. So sad the republicans will not help you out.
4
Trump is a problem, no doubt, however, he is succeeding on a few fronts despite his lack of ethics and professionalism. Obviously, his successes are not recognized as such by many, but here are the facts: tax cut, healthy economy, a possible breakthrough with North Korea, and abrogating the one sided Iran deal which was built on Iranian fraud. One can certainly offer arguments against all of the above, but at the end of the day, Europe needs the U.S. more than we need them. In every conflict since WWII, the various "allied coalitions" were for show. American forces handled all the heavy lifting, and Europe depends on the U.S. to continue that role. The E.U. would rather spend most of its money on social programs at the expense of a robust military....why?...because they get away with it because the U.S. protects them. When the left screams that "Denmark has this, Sweden and Norway have that" with respect to social welfare, they never factor in the fact that the high tax E.U., with failing economies, don't spend enough on their own defense because the U.S. picks up the slack. And, using per capita arguments is meaningless, since with respect to defense, countries need to spend whatever it takes to defend themselves. And if they don't choose to do that, well, the risk is on them, and if they depend on us, then they need to be more supportive of U.S. policy.
4
Keep telling yourself that Europe has to blindly follow the US. Do you realize the EU economy and population exceed the US? Each EU nation does have military forces, but not organized at the EU level. Are you saying the US military might gives us the right to dictate EU policy? That attitude will eventually be out downfall.
3
Oh god, we should applaud tax cuts for the wealthiest?
Anything viewed as positive is not by trump design.
Ha Ha Europe needs us??? Have you told those
countries yet, better break it gently. As far as all
the social programs that WE? help them have?
I do not think that is even close to the truth. We
could have those same despised by the corrupt
government social programs our self if we did not
have greedy oligarchs leaching as much as they
can from our country, and causing more and more wars and deaths to make even more money on the side. God How people from other countries must laugh when they read your comment. And how they pity us,
if they have kind hearts or how they say good riddance
if they have encountered the many hubristic ugly
Americans we seem to breed. trump is one of the
prize ones, he wins in that category
6
@Lawrence and @cheerful: Europe does not have to blindly follow us. If they want to be protected under our military umbrella, there's a cost for that protection. I personally would love to see fewer American forces deployed. Regarding the tax cut issue: like I said, a lot of folks can disagree on each of the accomplishments I cited. Due to our unfair tax code, new tax policy is never a win for everyone, but a large number of Americans are benefiting from the latest changes, not only the wealthy.
1
Well, Europe, what are you going to do about it?
As Ms. Tocci stated so succinctly “We have to stop being wimps...” This is an opportunity for Europeans to strengthen the European Union, with the ultimate goal of being a full and equal partner with the United States. The Trump administration is an aberration, quite possibly an illegitimate one as more evidence comes to light in the on-going Mueller investigation. The majority of Americans do not agree with the decisions of the Trump administration vis a vis treaty decisions and domestic policies. We want you to know that we value you as allies and friends. Together we will ride out this "storm" and look forward to a renewal of a more equitable relationship in the future. For now, take appropriate actions based on what is ethical and right and not, solely, based on financial considerations
4
WE MUST get rid of this despicable man!
7
The majority of Americans stand with the Europeans, Unfortunately a minority took control of our government.
7
Europe was NOT humiliated by Trump. Europe and the Western Alliance were again insulted by Trump who cares about nothing but his vain ignorant self. Is it not odd that for all his crowing credit for the release of the three DPRK-detained Americans he fails to mention that two of them were imprisoned under his watch and that he is being played by both Kim Jong Un and Benjamin Netanyahu who understand the Vanity King better than he himself does. But the EU now needs to show that it is more than a giant gutless bureaucracy and actually engage in and promote intelligent coordinated policies.
3
Trump is the kindergarten bully who kicks over the carefully constructed blocks of his playmates. Then he walks away to let them pick up the blocks and deal with the mess. Trump is the adult who shows "who's the boss," kicks over the building blocks of democracies, then walks away to let everyone clean up his messes. We have a child in an adult's body who has to be the center of attention. If Europeans are smart, they will ignore this bully and strengthen ties to push back against this destructive and childish leader. Otherwise, the bully has the upper hand and chaos ensues for everyone.
6
The title should read, Trump provokes war with Iran by breaking nuclear agreement.
4
Same lie that Obama/Kerry/Rhodes were telling while selling the "deal". This is a false choice. War or Obama's fraudulent Iran deal are not the only two choices.
I take issue with your headline. It's not the European allies who have been humiliated, but the people and reputation of the United States as a world leader. Please, be very careful about pandering to this corrupt administration. Words matter, very much.
6
Hang in there Europe! I live in this country and am humiliated every single day that Trump is in office. Have a feeling it won't be too much longer that ole Trump gets the boot, and in November we will take back our congress!
4
Also wearing thin is Trump's facade of being in charge. He is more and more displaying the unraveling that indicates psychological breakdown. PLEASE give me back my Republic which less than perfect, was at lease reasonable and workable.
5
The title of this article is biased. It should read, Europe Defends It's Interests Despite Trump's Humiliating Lack of Judgement.
6
There is a new world leader and the EU now knows it.Their advice is listened to,but not necessarily heeded. All have their best interests at heart.They cannot deny The Don's success.
Europe can't stop being wimps although I guess there's no harm in trying.
Have we learned nothing from North Korea? Or do we all just hate Trump so much that we're against anything he proposes?
The Iran deal never should have been made... I studied Nuclear Engineering in college... I remember reading textbooks on nuclear energy where part of the charts were classified because they could lead to the production of nuclear weapons. One is very closely related to the other... so please tell me why Iran needs a "non-weaponized" nuclear energy program? That makes no sense whatsoever, and not only that, but both Saudi Arabia and Israel disagree with the European "consensus" (if you can call it that) that Iran is honoring the deal. Do you really think that a state that sponsors terrorism doesn't have aspirations to weaponized nuclear technology?
Do we really want another situation where you have a hostile foreign power doing nuclear tests and launching ICMBs into the Aegean Sea? I was a fan of Obama, and I think he's a stand up guy... but the Iran deal was not his finest hour. NOW is the time to deal with this and renegotiate things with Iran.
4
Non-weaponized nuclear energy makes no sense? What college was that? Germany has nuclear power, but no nuclear weapons. Same thing with Switzerland, Finland, Hungary, Armenia, South Africa, Mexico and about 25 others. Even East Germany had a nuclear power plant when it still existed.
Ever heard of weapons-grade material? It requires a different enrichment process and can easily be distinguished from radioactive material for nuclear power.
12
I don't believe for a minute that Iran is not investing something into nuclear weapons. There is no treaty that will stop North Korea either. Along with the sad fact that any country signing a treaty with us knows that it can back out on a whim. after all, America doesn't honor her treaties.
3
One day the US is going to need the help of our European allies, and they are going to tell us to get stuffed.
5
I hope this might teach Europe to stand up on its own feet, invest on its own defense and few other issues for which it used to pass the burden to US.
1
This European, and I am not alone, thinks that Trump is humiliating your country and doing it exceedingly well.
13
As another European, I would agree.
3
Who benefits from a weakened NATO? Think. Russia? Who controls Trump? Think.
9
NATO is dead. Europeans should request, no demand, that US pack up their bags and leave Europe. The real estate they leave behind will be enough to pay for the cleanup.
5
It's frankly nonsense to suggest European leaders are 'humiliated' by President Trump's decision to end the agreement with Iran.
Why should anyone be humiliated by trying to do what is right? Today's escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, which is surely in direct response to this decision, is proof enough that the European leaders were right.
6
To paraphrase “Game of Thrones”, November is coming. If, and sadly it’s a big if, Congress and the Senate can be captured by the Democrats Trump can be hobbled and this current path to destruction can be slowed. In the meantime the rising price of gasoline may give some of Trump’s base pause to think about the wisdom of their leader and his policies, but I’m not holding my breath.
4
The vast majority of Europeans recognise the futility of talking to the man who'd sole goal was to trample on his predecessor's legacy.
Notice how he chose the absolute laziest of all the options available to him: No negotiations or actual thinking required. Just a squiggle in order to make the entire achievement to come crashing down - like a toddler with a block tower.
5
Dividing Americans against each other and dividing America and its European allies is what Russia has been trying to accomplish since the end of WWII. They appear to be getting traction now with their candidate in the WH.
6
Europe is 'humiliated' by Trump?
Sorry, Its Trump that has humiliated the US. The US now has zero credibility, and has lost respect.
Trump has isolated himself and the US, and is no longer the leader of the free world. The world will move on while he basks in his own delusional self praise.
9
Please do a follow up which compares the forces of the new European military alliance with soviet forces , and assess the tax consequences of correcting any shortfall .
1
Soviet forces? There are none.
The UK should recind it's invitation to Trump to visit, and the EU should consider what kind of sanctions to apply to the rogue regime in the US for breaking with all the other signatories to the agreement without any reliable information as to why this was done. I doubt they have the courage to do any of those things, but it is what needs to be done.
10
The real problem with Europe is Will. With exports from the EU, topping China and America; well, they've enormous economic power, in fact, beyond the US. It's the largest economic bloc in the world, the EU. They only need the Will to put their power to use and thwart the American challenge, if need be so.
3
"challenge to its values of democracy and rule of law from member states like Hungary and Poland."
purely coincidentally the European countries where Trump has, by a margin, the highest approval ratings.
3
"The Europeans are invested down a path to try to please the president."
Nah. They're invested to waiting out the next 2.5 years, just like the rest of us.
11
America, the belligerent.
Fallback into the disease.
4
Who's Europe and the cultural elite trying to fool? The only reason they have anything to do with Iran is economic greed. If they can't sell Iran their wares then all the money they've invested in Iran will be lost. Even Obama knew it was bad deal, that's why it was never put before Congress for vote as a treaty; it didn't have a chance for approval.
5
The Iran agreement didn't have a chance of Congressional approval because the Republicans in Congress had declared that their goal was to ensure that President Obama "failed" at anything that they could block. Mitch McConnell made the Republicans' goal of never working with President Obama clear when he announced that the Republicans intended to ensure that President Obama was "a one term President".
22
I just got back from a 2 week trip to Europe. If you’re going, do yourself a favor and get a maple leaf pin.
17
Wow, you guys really lean on the word “humiliation.”
As someone who spends considerable time in Europe for work and family purposes, let me assure you - everyday Europeans are in no way feeling humiliated.
As for their elected officials, whatever one may think of them, they’re responsible stewards trying to salvage a freying global order. As Macron made clear toward the end of his US visit, he was under no illusion that Trump would keep America’s word and remain in the Iran deal. Responsible leaders try to maintain such accords, even if faced with a clown on the opposite end of the table. Nothing humiliating about it.
23
There’s something cooking here which has little to do with Europe.
There’s some sort of collaboration between Saudi Arabia (and the Gulf States, perhaps sans Qatar) Israel and Trump’s United States. There is going to be a new phase of war in the Middle East. What’s happening is Syria will expand. For the time being, Saudi Arabia and Israel are closest of allies and yes the Palestinians have become irrelevant.
10
The U.S. has decided, or at least those who control its foreign policy have decided, that they rule the world. This is not just a Trump problem but has been the state of affairs for a considerable time now. In fact, it isn't clear that the President has much say in this as it can only be somewhat mitigated (Obama) or made worse (Trump) by that person. So now the Western "allies" are feeling what many other countries in the world also feel. Relying on one country to make decisions for the world is clearly not a good idea and the U.S. record is actually not great, the Middle East being but one example. It's time for the rest of the world to stand up and take responsibility as we are all partly to blame for this situation.
7
I don't see it as the TV Don humiliating the Europeans. After all, he campaigned on tearing up the Iran deal; it wasn't his usual bait and switch route that so often humiliates people in his own cabinet. Sure, the Europeans made desperate attempts to change his mind -- what else could they do?
In the end it is the USA that faces possible humiliation. Either the Iranians make some gesture of conciliation to Trump's gamble, or we face a long slog in uncertainty, ending with the US having produced far worse outcomes for all concerned.
6
Trump is bankrupting us in all of our agreements, he thinks he is still running a business and can stiff his partners. A change is coming.
9
Trump has just traded all US leadership and leverage for a headline. He is truly damaging US image for at least 3 years, hopefully not longer. The big winners, Russia & China. Europe will get along fine without us. The big losers, prestige, leadership and economically? You and I, the average American.
15
The history tell us that the decline and eventual disappearance of a major world power often starts when it falls under the rule of a superficial, self-serving, erratic, egotistical leader. I think that description fits Mr. Trump like a glove.
13
humiliated? no substance for this claim given i.e.
just more anti-trump negative opinion
1
Since the end of the second world war, Europe has done a better job of advancing humanitarian values while the US has lost its way playing the role of enforcer and winner-take-all hyper-capitalist. It's very sad adding up all the bad decisions and wrong forks in the road the US has taken. As the errors add up over decades, it is resulting in an irreversible and obvious decline, hence the current odious state of our politics. Europe has plenty of its own self-inflicted problems, but they'd be wise to actively chart their own course. The pain in doing so would involve more spending on their own defense, addressing the weakness in their own finances, and dealing with the fragilities of some of their faltering eastern and balkan states. But many in the US are now looking with envy at the way Europe has managed to choose wisdom, social good, and sober policy-making as the fundamentals of its statecraft.
11
I believe ‘humiliated’ is the wrong description for Europe. It is Trump, and sadly, the USA, who will be humiliated through Trump’s pandering to his ignorant base and through his inexperience and ignorance.
15
Trump is rapidly accelerating the decline of the US and shifting effective power and influence to China even faster. Trump's erratic behavior and ignorance of world events means that the US no longer has a coherent foreign policy and is no longer a reliable ally. He's not making American great again, but more rapidly diminishing America.
3
The people who helped bring us in this situation, which in the end will not help Europe, the U.S., nor anybody else (or wait, maybe it will be good for Russia) are:
James B. Comey
Wladimir Putin
and especially those voters who, because their favorite Bernie Sanders was not the democratic candidate, abstained from vorting or, out of protest, gave Trump their votes.
10
A growing rift between America and Europe, together with a worsening rift between Israel and Iran. Could Putin have planned any better?
14
One day The EU, Asia, and others will wake up and realize they no longer need the US market. That it's not worth making an agreement with the US because it might not be honored beyond 4 years. Our word as a country matters. Continuity and progress matters.
Changing our agreements on a whim or due to some petty personal reason is the road to failure. Trump says he is a successful business person, he has made tons of money for himself. At what cost? A few bankruptcies. Only now he wants to run the country the way he has run his business; To the ground!
9
This is the only country in the world that requires that products be measured and sold according to obsolete measurement units.
5
As an American living in Berlin, I have to say that this headline and article are a bit ridiculous. Europe is not 'humiliated'. People are puzzled and annoyed by Trump, and the lack of reasonable foreign policy from the US is a new challenge, but the Europeans haven't been suddenly transformed into a slobbering mess just because we elected an idiotic president.
Just because many of us are personally sad and embarassed that America is losing its leading role doesn't mean we should project those feelings on other continents.
17
on my travels to western Europe strictly as a tourist I see beautiful cities, towns and farmlands; healthy happy people, a sense that life is good. They want this life to continue. They see the Middle East as an annoyance, especially Israel. They see USA as a hired mercenary defense force to help defend against a few bad people. They seem to have solved life’s problems.
I doubt they’ll do much to counter Trump. Life is too good. East Europe still is not there yet, thanks to Russia. Israel and Taiwan remain isolated and vulnerable except for USA, Iran on the March, Kosovo and Bosnia closer to home falling apart - USA will handle all these little messes.
4
Europe has gotten over the conceit that the whole universe is run be an erratic humanoid.
Why do you say Europe is being humiliated by Trump? It's like saying the insane captain of a broken ship is humiliating all the ships and piers he runs into. The only country being utterly humiliated by Trump is the United States.
15
Just when he garners some support for the hostages' return and the meeting with N-Korea rhetoric, he has to go and throw it all away...
4
Dandy Don never misses a chance to be the center of attention, witness the meet and greet on the tarmac this morning now including Melania. Nothing like massaging his massive ego. Now he'll go around all day and night long telling us how wonderful he is as nauseum. Perhaps our viewing will be disrupted by yet another breath of fresh air - a new installment of how Cohen makes money while doing nothing for it.
4
Melania even held Trump's hand as if to say all is forgiven over Stormy Daniels.
Obviously an American journalist would write from an American perspective and conclude it's the Europeans who are being humiliated. America was supreme during and shortly after WW II. But nothing lasts forever and it's been a downward slide in standard of living and lifestyle, with humiliation trending upward.
2
Finally we have a US President willing to stand up for American interests. This is very refreshing after eight years of the “empty suit” Obama.
3
Go, sign up your kids.
5
Really not clear on how Europe is the one humiliated (again) in all this mess? Isn't America, and Trump, the ones who are internationally humiliated, time and time again? The whole world is watching, and we are watching a slow, four-year American train wreck.
6
The Europeans care for their business dealings with Iran, nothing more. And if there is a threat to Israel, it fits well with the rising tide of European anti-semitism. The Europeans are in it for themselves, we need to worry about our own interests.
5
Putin is very pleased that Trump is splitting from our European Allies.
It makes Europe much weaker, and makes them completely unable to stand up to Putin.
The bigger the wedge that Trump drives between America and our European Allies, the more powerful Putin becomes.
7
“Isn’t it wiser,” she asked, “to temporarily part ways with the Trump administration?” After all, she noted, something similar happened in 2003 over the American-led invasion of Iraq, yet relations were repaired when a new president came along.
How many times can we expect the world to put up with this cycle of "good president, devisive jerk, good president, devisive jerk"? At some point they're going to give up on us.
4
Hopefully President Emmanuel Macron has finally learned his lesson. He can drape himself all over Trump as much as he wants and try to create a bromance with the thoughtless, untrustworthy, self-absorbed, know-nothing Trump, but in the end, Trump has only three goals: make himself look big and important to the maximum extent possible; pander to his deplorable base; and trash anything and everything with Obama's name on it.
Prime Minister Theresa May and Chancellor Angela Merkel have already figured out that Trump is dangerous, and have been keeping their distance. Macron needs to follow their lead if he wants his voters to somehow forget the humiliation he's just suffered since his fancy-dancy State Dinner. If he doesn't distance himself from Trump, someone else will replace him in the next French election for PM.
7
Trump's knowledge about Europe goes as far as his golf courses and hardly beyond. And I suspect he is not that welcomed either.
7
Europe does not and should not feel humiliated. In Europe people have learned to respect and engage with neighbours peacefully in order to achieve good results for all parties, rather than insult or overthrow governments. Europe has survived many authocrats and dictators and learned important lessons through its long history. The US - a young nation- can do the same.
3
The problem here is that there is really no "Europe" but still a combination of competing interests.
Just see the other days NYT which reported that after almost 3 decades, young residents of these countries have a difficulty seeing themselves as "Europeans". The solution: a free railway pass for one year for 18 year olds to see their Europe.
Whether you agree with this POTUS or not - he is bringing in the traditional Calvinist principles to foreign policy - morals matter.
No one including Europeans deny the position of this POTUS that Iran is not living up to its commitments at least on principles of being a good neighbor.
Europeans, while hard to believe - refuse to admit that Iran continues to threaten existence of Israel - which of course angers America. And defense of Israel at any cost is one of the pillars of our policy in that part of the world.
So, until Europe understands that commercial interests cannot outweigh moral principles - they will continue to get humiliated.
1
Neil, c'mon.
Don't even try to apply the label 'moral' to our uber-sinner of an executive. If morals mattered in the US, that man would be in prison where he has belonged for decades. What matters in the US today is money.
And the only ones claiming Iran is not living up to the deals the half the US. There was no 'behave yourself' clause. There was just a 'don't have nuclear weapons' clause. All the rest was supposed to come later, when grown-ups sat down at the table and hashed things out.
As it is, we have a pouty little boy in the White House, he has just granted permission for Iran to go on ahead and make as many nuclear weapons as they want; nobody with a brain would negotiate anything with this waffle factory of a man.
As to Israel, the only one doing existential damage to Israel at the moment is Netanyahu. When his enemies come calling, he may find himself standing bravely alone trying to tongue lash them into surrender.
I doubt it will work, but it will give him the opportunity for a brilliant exit from his earthly toils, which is all he or Trump really want. That, and money.
4
Commercial principles cannot outweigh moral interests, Neil? Is that some kind of joke? What alternate universe have you been living in? The current administration worships only at the altar of one god- money.
3
The only thing Trump gained by abandoning the nuclear agreement is satisfying Republican hawks and his "corp", both of which are in the minority. In return he has suddenly made the cost for him of any agreement with NK, or anyone else, much higher.
This is something Trump knows well because reneging on loans and contracts has been the "secret" of his "Art of the Deal" which is why banks stopped funding any of his projects which meant Trump had to turn to "other" sources such as dirty Russian money which was cleaned with the purchase of Trump properties. For details on that, refer to the forthcoming Mueller report or Michael Avenatti if you can't wait.
As for Europe, they were not humiliated. They did what reasonable people are expected to do which is never guaranteed of success. Economically, except for Airbus sales, little trade was negotiated or really anticipated because the major supplier of Iran has been China. And with sanctions being renewed China and, to a lesser extent, Russia who may fill the Airbus void...not as good but good enough ... will be the winners here.
And then there are the forthcoming trade talks with the EU which, after this little fiasco, should go swimmingly ....right?
3
A dependent Europe is a weak Europe. If it's an interdependency with the U.S. that's something else as both sides then need each other. But, how long to tolerate an unfaithful partner?
“Europe, Again Humiliated by Trump, Struggles to Defend Its Interests”
substitute U.S. for Europe in the headline, it still works.
1
Iran should do what North Korea appears to be doing, which is to give Trump exactly what he wants, and the quicker the betterr. This will be best for the world and best for North Korea and Iran.
1
Europe is too fragmented to carry its own weight. France and Germany are in competition with each other, Spain and Italy are very simple countries and totally corrupt, Benelux is too small to be taken serious, Brittan has isolated itself from the European main land, Scandinavia doesn't now who is on first, all other EU members have joined to be protected by NATO. Europeans now are scared and lost, confused if they should be loyal to Trump or lean more towards Russia. Zero inner strength and foresight.
3
When the next president works to reverse the damage done by Mr. Trump, it will be labeled an "apology for America" tour by Republicans, just as they did when President Obama reached out to repair relations damaged by the Iraq war. But this time, it will truly be an apology for the actions of a dangerous influence in the world- the Republicans.
6
Europeans as a rule are more sophisticated in their thinking although the World is becoming more homogenized and the word 'humiliated' does not apply. America on the Home Front appears to be solidifying the foundation of the Pyramid. Keep the workers pacified. They are struggling.
France, Germany and Britain to renew their alliance. In America do not be surprised if The Press gets into trouble. Dr. Yancy and others to hold the fort for our Black American Population. There are heroes to be found in our Rainbow Nation and we are in need of strong teachers who are better compensated.
Europe has the shadow of The Bear looming over it. America is going insular but will still celebrate Paris in the Spring. Do not have the nerve to call the English, 'your Cousins across the Pond'.
An elderly sibling of mine, a descendant of our Robber Barons, wrote 'hope you are enjoying prosperity'. Bear is his nickname and at early dawn I would tell him that Obama was our Last President. America has a Ruler now. He is being supported by Russia.
Perhaps David Brooks, whom we both like and respect in his writings, could give us his essay on the choice of a summoned life. Not far from Paris in the countryside you will find a family chapel and a motto: 'Help yourself (Europe), and God will Help you'.
Europe is stronger than it realizes. Unite. Look for the Political Pawn on the Chessboard.
1
It is rather interesting in itself that in the article and many of its comments without any hesitation there is talk of 'the Europeans'. That sounds soothing in my ears: Are we not ourselves in the birth pangs of a new, truly European identity?
History is a strange thing: sometimes it is just the most unpleasant, saddest events (here: the growing alienation between 'the Europeans' and the US society as a whole), which may also have very positive long-term aspects. However, we (these Europeans) just have to be very careful that we do not make the same mistake as Mr. Trump, who helps us unwillingly to find our new self-esteem, ie. reflexively scream "Europe first". That's the real challenge.
3
'The European Union has instead been preoccupied with other dangers — populism, migration, Islamophobia...'
Very interesting that Islamophobia is listed as a danger that preoccupies Europe, but not anti-Semitism. There have been overwhelmingly more anti-Semitic attacks in Europe than Islamphobic attacks - there were fatal Islamic terror attacks on Toulouse, France; Jewish Museum, Brussels; Copenhagen synagogue; Kosher market, Paris. And the recent anti-Semitic attack on an elderly Parisian holocaust survivor. And other attacks on a smaller scale that get minimal news coverage.
You can measure the differences by the migration patterns -- Jews are migrating from Europe, in unprecedented numbers, to places that they consider safer for them such as Israel, while at the same time, Muslims are mass migrating to Europe, also in unprecedented numbers.
If Islamaphobia was such a problem, as this piece claims, the Muslims would not be mass migrating in, and if anti-Semitism was not a problem (since it was completely omitted in this piece) than there would not be a migration pattern of Jews out of Europe.
The EU would be wise to address ant-Semitism in EU and to worry a little less about Trump.
3
As a Spaniard and citizen of the EU living for more than 50 years in the US and a citizen of this country the actions of Trump hit me in my gut. The opposition to Trump must be national and international. We have to unite in this struggle. In the US we have to put aside our differences to succeed in the common objective to oppose Trump at every turn and defeat his program. Internationally the citizens of the EU and the US have to unite and cooperate to stop Trump from destroying NATO and the Western Alliance, that Trump and Putin want.
3
As an outsider (Canadian), I find it revealing that even a relatively liberal part of the press would call this Europe’s humiliation. I think I can safely speak for much of the outside world in calling this America’s humiliation. It is a continuing humiliation. While your military might grows, the rest of what makes a country great, shrinks. Education, infrastructure, civility, equal opportunity are all declining. America, in a post truth, alternative fact, world, is humiliated.
12
The Trump legacy will be an impoverished, friendless and insignificant america. Looking for real leadership? You won't find it here. Europe would be well advised to look elsewhere for partners and allies, at least while the Trump administration is in power.
3
Our former European Allies and NATO now realizes that America is NOT cannot be counted as their partner anymore. With this President, his ally now is Russia. They will have to go at it alone to confront Russian aggression near their borders. The hypocrisy of this President is simply astounding when he praises Russia who has done nothing but meddled in our democracy with the goal of undermining our system of government and cause us harm. Many decades of a strong relationship is now thrown under the bus by this unfit man who obviously is compromised by the Russians and will do their bidding regardless of the consequences it will have. Europe should keep in mind that the people of America will always be their friend irrespective of the actions of this sad excuse for a world leader we now have. Hopefully, we can vote this abomination out of office in 2020 and repair the harm he has done and allowed to happened. History will not be kind to this charlatan.
5
The main issue for Europe is talking the talk but refusing to walk the walk. Countries (particularly Germany) have many ideals on the way they believe things should be but then expect someone else to do the work to accomplish it.
If Europe doesn't want to feel 'humiliated', they need to invest in their own capabilities and not expect someone else to do their bidding.
1
What does anyone expect?
A US President who WANTS a war for
1. $
2 Distraction from his own problems.
He will do anything to get us into a war. Why do so many people allow Trump to ruin our country every day?
Are the Republicans so short sited as to only be thinking of deregulation?
4
“The European Union harshly criticises the United States. The EU stands together with China and Russia on the side of the mullahs in opposition to the United States”. I never thought I would ever read a sentence like that in a mainstream German news outlet. It took trump only a bit more then a year.
3
Now I know why I'm paying $1 a gallon more at the gas pump.
3
Go ahead. Iran and Israel, destroy each other. The world will be wiser without belligerent fools, bent on fighting it out. Today in 2018, we are all exhausted of wars battles as though it is the middle ages. Ancient Persia, in all its glory, never learned the lesson of extreme religion, so adopted it, sponsored it and brought misery to the world because of it. Nor did Israel, that gave refuge to religious persecuted refugees, it too never learned the lesson of what it means to be the wiser one. Foolish Israel, so easily it forgets when Christianity singled out Jews for persecution, the Persian and Arab rulers gave refuge to Jews, who thrived and flourished in all aspects of arts culture mathematics science trade entrepreneurship and more. Without the patronage of these Persian Arab Muslim rulers, Jews as a religious ethnic identity, would be long erased from the planet.
2
I am glad that my dear father and my uncles, all of whom had varying degrees of PTSD from the battlefields of France and Saipan in WWII, and all of whom died too soon, before they turned 65, are not here to witness this despicable ,self-inflated excuse for a man flip the bird to the democratic alliances my family paid for with their fleeting youth and their blood.
Message to Allies -most of us did not vote for him. And he makes most of us sick.
11
Business is not as usual that is for sure. The Europeans do not have a puppet in the white house nor do the Russians or the Chinese. America is once again a live wire and the chants of "death to America" are falling on deaf years. Trump has shown enormous courage and back bone whether one agrees with his policies or not. Trump has placed America first, front and center on the world scene and his every move will continue to be watched like a hawk and scrutinized closely as he displays fire in his belly to get done what was needed to be done and no other American president would have been able to do. I can now see the wisdom of the firing of Tillerson by the results that have been seen with Pompeo as the new secretary of state. Trump has turned the world upside down. Are we in the current times experiencing America's exceptionalism and greatness again with a president saying what he wants and doing what he promised?
2
None of these countries (in Europe) are willing to stand up to China. What makes people believe they will stand up to the US? All of them are only defending their narrow selfish interests, and their narrow selfish interests are not advanced by open confrontation with the US.
1
Since the US is checking-out of world affairs Europe needs to move on and leave us behind. The next step our European allies should take is to shut down American bases and expel every service member. Then confiscate everything on-base from infrastructure and military equipment down to the lowly paperclip. Then we’ll see how fast Mr. Chaos in the Oval Office decides to “deal”.
Trump has repeatedly abandoned our allies and embraced our frenemies. We’re living an oxymoron.
3
The way the European leaders rushed to Washington one-by-one to warn Mr. Trump of detrimental consequences of withdrawing from Iran Nuclear Agreement during the last two weeks is indeed reminiscence of the way the same countries came to UN in 2003 to advise the US against invading Iraq. It is clear that the Europeans believe that the US pulling out of the agreement is intended to set the stage for a military attack on Iran.
Undoubtedly, the Europeans are genuinely concerned about the humanitarian impact of such a war. But, rest assured, they have other concerns as well. They know that an attack in Iran will quickly turn into a regional war, causing millions of civilians head for European borders. That could again cause political upheaval in many European countries, leading to re-erection of border fences, concentration camps, and a major threat to the foundation of the European Union.
The population of Syria was estimated to be 24 million by 2018, but the war drove 28% of the population out from their homes, from which more than 4 millions headed for Europe. Iran's population is roughly 80 million. Similarly, a war could displace 23 million Iranians, from which 13 million could be heading for Europe. Given that the war is deemed to turn quickly into a regional one, involving many ME countries, one could expect an exodus of biblical proportion toward Europe.
1
And this would quickly break up the EU ... just as Putin wants.
IF our European allies feel "humiliated" it's only because the intransigence of Orange Man underscores the impotence of European countries that don't have the backbone to put their money where their mouths are (i.e. take decisive stances against policies that they disagree with, notwithstanding that such stances might imperil trade or force them to spend more on their own defense should the US decide to cut back in retaliation etc) or the political will to forcefully unite and thus present a truly imposing counterbalance to China, the US and Russia. Their problem is that the European experiment of unity has never yielded a powerful core that could defend European interests against those of the large world powers. A strong European executive doesn't exist. A strong European military doesn't exist. Unity in Europe is a mirage and individually the European countries do not present a threat to the hegemony of the US on the world stage. I admire Britain for it's courageous decision to "go it alone" and withdraw from the EU but that has only made their relationship with the US all the more critical. So frankly they can't blame Orange Man for their humiliation - after over 40 years of European Common Market and Union, their impotence is entirely of their own making.
2
"However angry and humiliated, those allies do not seem ready to confront Mr. Trump, wishing to believe that he and his aides can be influenced over time. "
That's what Neville Chamberlain thought in 1938. How did that work out?
2
Tell me again why Europe's "interests" should matter more to us than our own?
1
Cuz most of our ancestors came from Europe? America would be a different place if the Europeans did not set foot here. Likely inhabited by a vibrant Native American community composed of scores of tribes, living peacefully with the environment.
3
Until now the EU has not needed to take a political role that would reflect it's economic might, mainly because of it's alliance with the US. Now, however, the US has no credibility any more after electing a less than intelligent president who has no interest in or understanding of diplomacy, is surrounded by equally brainless yes-men and looks likely to ignite a new World War. The EU needs to stand up and take it's role in the world. It needs to set up an army for defence (which was mooted before but vetoed by the US), create a new post of Foreign Minister who is empowered to talk on behalf of all EU countries and decrease its dependence on the US. Economic relations between the EU and China should be boosted as should those with the rest of the relevant world and reduce US influence.
It sure feels that we are heading toward yet another horrible war, isolated as before with Iraq (except U.K, how’d that work out for “cooperating” with W?).
Andrew Bachevich had it right: You can be an empire or a democracy, but not both.
Europe’s ironic dilemma, though, it that while each of those countries — UK, France, Netherlands, Germany, Italy — have all abandoned their empires and are more democratic than the U.S. — they want the U.S. to continue to be an empire. Trump’s isolationism, though, helps none of the members of the Atlantic alliance.
Meanwhile, climate change continues.
1
This reads like an editorial.
Let us be honest. I have yet to hear anyone say the Iran "deal" is a good deal. What exactly were the interests at stake that compelled this agreement? Economic.
The EU wanted an expanded market to include Iran. That should be very low on the hierarchy of interests when compared with a nuclear Iran which would, unquestionably, be the result in a very short time.
This deal was about money, pallets of cash, and big wig business deals -- including Boeing that was going to export American technology and teach the Iranians how to make fancy airplanes. Why do that? Money.
So, the question is will the U.S. and its ersatz allies reconstitute a coalition to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power -- you know non-proliferation?
Will the left admit it thinks its okay for Iran to get nukes, just like it thinks open borders and unlimited immigration are okay? Come on -- fess up.
2
RE Tom; you seem to miss the entire point of remaining in the deal. Feel free to criticize the Obama Administration for not getting as good of a deal as you believe they should have. But, it was the deal that the leader of the Country made, just as the Paris climate agreement was.
Why would or should Iran or North Korea or anyone else bother to attempt to make a deal, knowing that the next person after Trump or even Trump himself may not like it and rip it up before or after agreeing to it?
The real problem here is Trump's continuing demonstrations that any agreements we make are subject to revocation at his unfathomable whim and apparently unstable persona.
3
Tom, I admire your passion.
I just wish you recognized reality when it smacks you in the kisser.
Your President just gave Iran his blessing to build all the nuclear weapons it can manage.
That is, Donald Trump has approved the accumulation of nuclear weapons by Iran. He did so because it is the opposite of what your bogeyman, Obama, and his Liberal Troops of Ungodly Evil did.
Obama and the LTUGE are the ones who stopped Iran in mid-development and made sure they could never go ahead to bomb development again.
Its about time you admit you and your pals are living in fantasy world made of confections like 'open borders' (say what?), 'unlimited immigration' and 'pallets of cash'.
You need to get out more, man, breathe the air, look at the sun...
1
This is EXACTLY why I voted for Mr. Trump. Europe is a dying welfare state that has become irrelevant, we cannot let them drag us down as well. Keep it up Mr. Trump, you are doing great!
2
Terms of reference: Europeans and Americans in conflict? Europeans prefer exit routes avoiding insults and generations of bitterness between Israel and Iran. There is too much at stake in the crossfire of mutual hatred at boiling point. We may all forget how this started. Israel survives taking a hard-line against Iran guilty of making threats against Israel based on Palestinian territorial struggle. Israeli military escalating their incursions into Syria killing Iranian advisers frequently. Many like John Bolton approve of such direct action by Israel. Note Russian inaction in Syria taken for granted by the USA. Europeans fear Israel may be tempted to use their nuclear missiles against Iran to settle the matter permanently. Iran is not Iraq: Be careful what you wish for.
One would think that Trump would want to be buddy-buddy with his fellow Europeans.
Being a decent leader and person will get you no we’re with trump, he plays it as a weaknesses. He is playing for his audience, he wants to keep them happy as well as his friend in Israel.
The only way to stop a bully is to stand up to him, he will crumble.
2
Nations such as Britain, France and Germany should cease trying to encourage Trump to act rationally. With him, this is an impossibility. He is ignorant beyond belief. But what he does understand is being ignored. Europe, and the rest of the world for that matter, should start doing this. He craves recognition, as do all narcissists. A start in this respect would be for Britain, say, to cancel his planned visit there. Britons have made it crystal clear that he is not welcome on British soil. To them, he is anathema. I know this because I'm one of them.
1
Not to worry. They'll need bailing out of something (a world war, here, a world war there) and will come whining and running back.
It's America that is humiliated by the existence of "president" Trump, not Europe.
Trump has made the world a very unsafe place. He is the most unintelligent unqualified person to ever fill any role in the executive office.
And the fact that the GOP had recently gerrymandered multiple states’ territory boundaries, and the fact that Russia sent out fake news with the probable help of some GOP data mining, and the fact that lies were told during the campaign, and the fact that dark money is financing the NRA and other Superpacs due to Citizens United, it’s no surprise that any candidate so unqualified can get elected even by the supposed safeguard of the electoral vote.
Our country better wake up.
3
Isn’t it interesting that the breaking of these alliances is just what Bannon & his compadres had in mind. The various fascist lite parties in Europe and here hope to increase their influence and power by diminishing America’s influence abroad while sowing chaos here. China, Russia & reactionary parties across Europe benefit from the alienation Trump provides while his family & cronies find wealth creating opportunities in the swirl of corruption and conflict that’s Trumps natural element. As the orange haired one would say “sad”, indeed.
1
First Democratic Party platform plank: We will remember and support nations allied with us for more than a century and a half of our nation’s history, and those who joined us at the end of the Cold War. The UK, Common Europe, the defense forces of NATO and SEATO, a unified North America and the Latin American nations who have looked to us for national leadership, those in the Middle East who have aided us in fighting off terrorism and inroads by our military and economic antagonists, while seeking to expand the security if the US and the world, truly interrelated in this era where our closest allies seems to have been abandoned for support of our collective oldest troublemaker, Russia.
While we hope for world peace, we cannot let the Red GOP give away world peace to the old Red Russians, led today by Vladimir Putin’s anti-democratic dictatorship.
We will continue to support the battle against world terrorism, but not when it is used to abandon victims of the horrors in Syria and other Middle Eastern states.
As countries become true democracies, we will aid them - never imposing our culture, but allowing them to join us in a stronger world community of free people.
We even have hopes of one day being able to now t just live in peaceful coexistence with the other superpowers, but welcoming them to our alliance of free nations.
Only with the support, and by supporting our oldest friends while restabilizing relations with the world’s other two superpowers can America be great
This is exactly what Putin wanted - separate US from Western Europe. May be Trump is following his orders. It ma not be possible for EU to stand United to say good bye to America. Tell Israel that it will not support any attack on Iran. Western Europe and even Eastern Europe has much better understanding of th shiah-Sunni divide; it is worse than old German-French or English-French. Shiah-Sunni is a war between who is the real Islam follower and both are fighting over who represents the real Allah!
2
Let that word "humiliated" hang there for minute. Put yourself in the shoes of our allies. They're humiliated and ticked off. Think they want to do a give and take negotiating session, or even sit down to negotiate at all?
"Humiliated by Trump" Maybe inside the US fish bowl people may think that but to the rest of the world I think not. Generally speaking it is more how can a nation go from an Obama to a Trump? Obama did real deals Trump pulls apart the deals of others and replaces them with what? His Paris accord? A Trump TTP perhaps? A bigger better Iran deal? Nope nothing on the Horizon!! Hey USA get back to the rest of the world when you somehow "Fire" this one and find someone reasonable like the last guy!!
3
Afraid of Trump? Of course. Embarrassed by Trump? Considerably. Humiliated by Trump? I think not.
3
Europeans are not being "humiliated". They are being adults. It is the US that is being humiliated by this presidency.
4
Stupidity and ego of one man is pitting the United States against the world. Pacific Rim countries went ahead and continued forming the Trans Pacific Partnership without the US. And the US lost out on favorable tariffs with all those countries. Paris Accord will go on as planned. While the whole world is going for clean technologies and electric cars, the US is going backwards; thank you Mr. Pruitt! Consequently the leadership in manufacturing clean technologies like solar, wind, batteries and electric vehicles is going to China and elsewhere. 100 years of United States’ world leadership, respect and strong currency is being frittered away by a man with a giant ego and a pygmy brain. There are no second chances in the world. Industrialists and farmers who supported Trump will pay the price in the short time. Tax cuts are meaningless if the income of these Republican supporters dwindle down to nothing after the world opprobrium. It is a matter of time. Either the US replaces Trump (and not with Pence) or face being kicked out from the world community of nations. Hubris can only take you this far, beyond that the US is on its own.
1
Why does everything Trump do benefit Russia and Putin, damage our relationships with our NATO allies, and hurts Americans? First the Paris Accord, then the TPP, next moving the embassy to Jerusalem, steel and aluminum tarriffs, and now this Iranian deal pullout. The destruction of NATO, erosion of our global leadership position, and damage to our economy (i.e. Boeing taking a huge hit, farmers suffering, gas going to $6 a gallon, etc.) Why, why, why? Is he just stupid? Or something else?
4
something else. in bed with the Russian oligarchs and all their money. high treason.
1
Bibi could care less about Europe and Trump is Bibi's hand puppet. The only way Bibi can stay in power is by starting a war, which may be the conclusion that Trump will come up with soon!
1
Humiliated we are not. Stunned, yes. Outraged, possibly. But also deeply convinced of the decency of our American friends and of the fact that we share the values of diplomacy and peace. Together, we will survive the ignorant and vulgar brute currently residing in the White House.
5
The Europeans can help the situation in the United States by denouncing Trump. This would send a message to voters in the U.S. that Trump's absence of understanding of international matters will isolate America. Trump's pathetic and sick base will continue to cling to their dear leader, but it won't be enough. Especially if people of clear thinking skills actually vote.
Voting is the only real defense America has and if we don't use it, we'll lose it. The complicit Republican congress has to go. They enable this inept president while he lies and humiliates them.
This could be the last shot we have. If they party of corruption and greed hold the house and senate in November we and the rest of the world will pay the ultimate price. There will be more chaos, domestic unrest and perhaps even wars.
Get up and vote them out in November.
3
Robert Westwind,
You said, “The Europeans can help the situation in the United States by denouncing Trump. This would send a message to voters in the U.S. that Trump's absence of understanding of international matters will isolate America.”
I’d like to think you’re right, but I’m afraid it would only stir up his base and perhaps expand it. Until Trump opened the floodgates, I didn’t realize just how much racism still exists among us. I fear for what else might be hidden beneath our “melting pot” exterior.
I think the sane among us need to form the “new silent majority” and work locally and nationally to restore integrity to government by getting Democrats and Independents elected.
2
It is USA that is humiliated by their mad President! USA can no longer be trusted to stay/follow any agreement USA signs!
Trump clearly desperately tries to start a war against someone to be able to distract from the inevitable impeachment...! First he tried everything he could to escalate the conflict with North Korea, but the South Korean President, Moon Jae-in, managed to free the three Americans and convince North Korea to abandon their nuclear weapons program! Now Trump, even more desperate, tries to start a war against Iran by leaving the Iran deal that would have prevented Iran from getting nuclear weapons, and would have opened up Iran to the international markets so that the Iranian people could trade... with USA... and see that Americans are no different than Iranians so that peace between US and Iranian people could prevent war and stabilize the entire Mid East region!
When Trump restart sanctions against Iran, USA actually starts a gigantic trade war against Europe, and that is exactly what Putin wants, less friendly relations between USA and Europe!
2
How DARE you? How would you turn such important piece of information into this? Europe is NOT humiliated by Trump.
Trump is humiliating himself and the Unites States by taking one irrational decision after another. Wake up.
I can't believe I am reading this in The New York Times.
6
Trump is in capable of being humiliated. That would require intelligence and self knowledge that he does not have
1
That picture says it all. Trump Pence Bolton. A trifecta of hate, ignorance and incompetence. I would tell our allies,"we're sorry, the store is closed for repairs. Come back in 2020.
2
Europe should cut off diplomatic and economic relations with the US and look somewhere else for trade partners.
2
Trump is looking more and more like a wax figure of himself. How must he feel inside to know he hated worldwide? All the hideous things he is doing is making the world a more horrible, hateful and unhealthy place. Do not normalize him for a minute as he is below human decency.
2
“Humiliated” is a very strong term, and not one the Europeans would likely accept. Trump is a brutish, uninformed fool that has no interest in diplomacy or reverence for the diligent, multi-national work that has gone before his tenure. No, instead Europe is realizing it’s own self-reliance and each isolationist turn by the US only empowers the EU. I wouldn’t call that humiliating.
2
Exactly how is Europe humiliated? Taking a mature approach in dealing with a leader whose nation has been a staunch ally; yet being disappointed- time and again; isn't humiliating. It is Disgusting.
The title of this piece should state: "Europe Struggles With Trump's Disgusting Approach To Foreign Affairs."
3
And oil jumped to over $70/barrel today. How nice.
1
What's the problem? Europe can support the US, which has devoted untold billions to protecting Europe over the last many decades, or it can support the terrorist, misogynist, homophobic, anti-Semitic theocracy presently tyrannizing Iran (and its aggressive, expansionist ally, Russia).
As to "humiliation," that's what happens when you lose your pride and choose trade/profits today for Islamization and Russification tomorrow.
1
Humiliated?
More like infuriated!
They’re dealing with a conman-toddler who has been given the keys to the world’s candy store. The conman-toddler opens box after box strewing about him the discards of half-eaten or unopened candy bars. Looking for “the one” with the “golden ticket” to get the “bestest deal” so the conman-toddler can bask in the adoration of our allies while simultaneously feeding his insatiable ego.
That is...until he needs his next fix...
God help us all!
2
I apologize to European countries and leaders and I beg the leaders to realize American has an EVIL and NARCISSISTIC President right now. No longer can America claim "exceptionalism"...indeed we are at the mercy of other European countries like the UK, Germany, France, etc. to protect us from our dangerous country, USA!
Right now, we are one of the stupidest and dangerous countries in the world bc of our president and his followers.
Forgive Europe for electing Trump. Hame mercy and patience upon the USA.
2
The Europeans have always depended on the USA to subsidize their defense and provide trade terms that are greatly tilted in their favor. The logic from our standpoint was having strong European Nations to confront the USSR during the cold war. They have become addicted to these entitlements. It's time for Europe to pay for it's own defense and open up their agricultural, technological and consumer markets if they want a real seat at the table.
1
You withdraw from Paris - it goes on for the rest of the world, regardless. You withdrew from the TPP - we negotiated and kept it going anyway. Now you think you can throw your weight around with Iran. I can assure you the world will find a way to carry on without you in this instance, too, and I can imagine China and Russia giggling with glee at the thought of taking yet another leadership role in the wake of your vacuum. The world doesn't need you, America. Take your toddler president and crawl into your isolationist hole; best leave the adulting to the adults.
3
"Humiliated" by Trump? Please! The humiliation is all OURS for enabling the election of this (pick your words) to the highest office.
Of course, this comment will not be posted, will it?
4
What a wedge your whack job of a president is driving between your country and the rest of the world and while all this is happening and your wondering what the next drama is in the White House soap opera you have for a government...China moves in to places no longer on your radar. Africa/the South Pacific/Australia/all those "Stans", those former USSR republics above India and Iran stretching to Turkey.
We have no US Ambassador here in Australia, we had one appointed but you guys moved him to NK. We're an old trusted ally supposedly,not many older... hmm.
We sit back and watch the train wreck and can only hope that the Europeans can keep a deal going and keep Iran at the negotiation table.
It's chaotic from here let me assure you, outside looking in.
We can only hope the world doesn't ignite before a new President is sworn in.
2
The problem with the bullied is they never stand up to a bully and slug him in the face. They are afraid that something bad will come of it, that it will make things worse. So, instead they develop a cyclic relationship where the get repeatedly abused and humiliated. For them a win is when the bully temporarily turns his attention to another victim.
It won’t stop and it’s time to fight back. 65% of Americans won’t mind seeing this bully get a swift kick in the butt. Once someone starts the “pile on” effect hopefully begins and everyone gleefully joins in. By now, Europe should have learned their lesson that dithering and dawdling never paid off (Chamberlin, Kosovo) for them.
2
Europe should not feel humiliated because they should understand that Trumps agenda is to undo every last action by Obama. Trump hates Obama because he is a racist and Obama is black; Obama is well educated and speaks very well while Trump is only a 5th grader in education despite his so-called degree from U Penn. Most of all Obama has integrity, a lovely family all of which Trump does not have. Trump is a despicable human being without a shred of decency or integrity. He knows what people think of him so he needs to boost his fragile ego by bashing Obama.
1
This imposter of a man and a President will be gone soon, legally, and fully gone. I am confident. Thanks to Mike Avenati, and certainly Robert Mueller, and his fixer, Cohen.
The world is moving forward. Extremists are going down. Technology is rising. Equitable modes of politics are winning out.
Trump is simply the last gasp of the racist white man. He will go down. He will go down as sure as the Titanic sank (not fake news). He will go down as sure as Fox propaganda incorporated will go down.
I believe the Euro-zone knows this. Nationalism is nothing if not neanderthal. The ejaculation of racism as demonstrated in the Agent Orange in the White House, is just that- an ejaculation. It will soon harden, and be cleaned by a Democratic Wave and a necessary cleaning out of the sewer that is current Republicanism lead by Dear leader Trump.
1
I will gladly buy products from any European companies that may suffer from the moronic fumblings of the 5th grader (and that is being generous) living in the White House.
1
Israel is now dictating US foreign policy. Putin is just a ruse...
1
Europeans are collectively shaking their heads in disbelief. Trump has humiliated himself with his hubris, not Europe.
1
Good article explaining all the balls in play, but perhaps not emphasizing security sufficiently. Germany and France are re-arming, but this will take time and the military alliance with the US is essential to the security of Western Europe for at least the next decade. The people here who squawk the loudest about "standing up" to the US generally come from countries who make little if any contribution to the common defense and who are considered to be clowns by those who do. In any case, France has graveyards filled with ten of thousands of american soldiers who died in the common cause. Not even Trump will ever make her forget that.
US Allies still don’t get it, its not America First its The Donald First. He’s in trouble, he needs distractions, and hell turn on you in a New York minute to escape like a wounded animal. Sorry suckers!
Different headline: “Defiant NY Times desperately pretends US stillleading free world”— just as good a frame as calling Europeans “humiliated.” They are anxious and in a pickle and risk averse, but the USA is not covering itself in glory.
Humiliated? No. Disappointed. Angry. Baffled. Frustrated. Why should Europe feel humiliated by the decisions of a petulant man-child who understands very little about the world?
Wrong, NYT : Trump has humiliated himself and made the US look terrible.
1
EU economy is stronger and larger than the US's.
The US needs high tech and pharmaceutical products from the EU to operate.
The US needs its bases in the EU to run its illegal wars.
So what's the problem?
Kick out the imbecile and show him what civilized societies think of idiots like Trump.
The EU, as well as China, do not need to be bullied and embarrassed or even insulted by this moron.
All it takes is a few weeks of EU unity to show Trump the door.
I think it's premature to say Europe is humbled, Pissed off, yes. A rather American "Old Europe" view it would appear, Is Europe just a little backwater that should just take its cues from the US in a time of sheer madness in the WH? NO,
Now we risk a rift between Europe and the US which can harm the US,,,think of a new alliance between China, Russia and the EU.,,hmmm, don't be so smart conman Donald, this is bad news for all of us.
1
My Man. Congratulation Mr. Trump. Finally a President that doesn't bow down to no one. And looks for the American interest before the interest of others. Balls of Steel 2020
NYT headline: Trump humiliates Europe, again
“America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests”
Henry Kissinger
1
"The Times needs your voice. We welcome your on-topic commentary, criticism and expertise."
Really?
After having 100's of comments rejected by the NYT moderators, which met all of your published guidelines, I have have my doubts about your claims!
Okay, so the topic is about Europe being humiliated and the US pulling out of the Iran deal. So I understand all the arguments about the importance of our country honoring these deals.
I am not sure why the NYT is making such a big deal about this one considering the silence of your writers while the US violated past agreements with North Korea... but I digress.
So with this said, my simple question is: Do your readers actually understand what the Iran Deal actually accomplished?
What did the Iran deal do?
Well the answer isn't really that simple because the NYT never actually went into depth about the Iran deal!
If the NYT had, there would have been an uproar from your writers before it was even signed!
Putin will continue to support Assad and to provoke mayhem in Syria. The Assad hegemony will continue to drive young Syrian Sunni males to swamp Europe.
The migration crisis will spur on anti-immigration parties in Eastern Europe. They will push to leave EU just as the UK has.
Poland will leave. The Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will leave. Greece will leave. The EU will break apart.
After an attempted coup, Putin's armies will march into Poland to restore order. Russian tanks will roll into Lithuania. They will roll into Hungary
All hail the new Fuehrer! Trump will have done his job. Together Putin and Trump will succeed where Stalin failed.
1
There won't be any attempted coup in Poland, but a flood of migrants would wreak disaster in Europe. However, I expect much stronger measures will be taken to stop migrants before they reach Europe, with a major expansion of naval forces in the Mediterranean. In the end, wealthy Middle Eastern countries will be forced to take responsibility, especially Saudi Arabia as putative leader of Sunni Islam.
Europe isn't humiliated. Trump is an embarrassment.
America was totally isolationist in the 30s and refused to help England even when it was on the brink of being invaded by Nazi troops in September 1940. Then a year later while comfortably enjoying their “splendid isolation”, they were rudely woken by bombs falling on The 6th fleet “safely” anchored in Pearl Harbour. But apparently the country hasn’t learned a lesson - sooner or later they will again suffer the consequences of isolationism. The US has several air bases in England, including national security listening facilities that protects America, as much or more than Europe. They are staffed by thousands of Americans. These bases are important to American security. The British should show the US that cooperation is a 2 way street and suggest they pack up and take a hike.
How in the world is Europe humiliated? Trump is humiliating the United States every minute with his bullying tactics to satisfy his insatiable ego and total lack of understanding of the job or the huge Iran deal he just blew up.
1
Trump has done everything he can to alienate our closest allies. Even though the majority of Americans are sickened by him, Europe needs to stop pussyfooting around with this Idiot-in-Chief and go its own way till Trump is out of office. They look like fools trying to placate Trump who is loving every minute of it.
If Europe were concerned about their interests - the would not let themselves overrun by millions of islamic & social wellfare invaders.
Many of us here in America are embarrassed, humiliated, furious, and detest this president and the cowardly republican puppets supporting him. We stand with Europe as we watch our country destroyed. Please forgive us. Take care of yourselves and don't align with this maniac of a president.
1
the writing is in the wall and all we have to do is read it: trump bows to only one 'ally' - Putin - who has dirt ROYALE on him. simple.
1
There are always new ways of thinking. We see it in most things we do today and they quite frequently work. I more than occasionally find articles and posts in these pages to be narrow minded—espousing strong opinions without considering alternatives. Everybody has an idea for a fix but in recent years the fixes haven’t worked. We need a new world order where individuals are empowered to believe in themselves and their own abilities and do not blame others for their plight in life or for their differing opinions and in which countries do not seek to destroy others. Trump’s straight talk and toughness is an approach that should be given a chance.
Mr.Trump may just have delivered the long-overdue wake-up call to the Europeans that they do not need the American domination of their lives.
The EU is an economic powerhouse that can and should set its own priorities, protecting its own interests, as opposed to those coming from Washington.
1
Trumpism (a curious mix of isolationism and imperialism) will result in Europeans forging other alliances. The US is a big trading bloc but there are other trading blocs out there.
When the US recedes from the world stage, others step in.
Trump is fulfilling Russia’s wishlist: weaken traditional alliances and democracies and create doubt and uncertainty domestically.
Whether this is coincidental or planned, we do not know.
Bolton’s bright idea of regime change in Iran will likely result in another catastrophe of the magnitude of the Iraq War and Occupation. When will we ever learn?
5
It might be better for now if our European allies decided to look after their own interests and forget Trump. Eventually, Trump will be gone and the United States will have a rational leader again, but until then Europe should look to strengthen their own union and move on. America will just have to learn how to play catch up in either two, or God forbid, six years.
16
Trump brought John Bolton's aggressive, reckless world views back from political purgatory to buttress Trump's standing with the Neo-con crowd in the Republican Party and more broadly, the nationalist element that is funded by fanatical right wing isolationists. These people want to humiliate long-time allies who they dismiss as weak snowflakes while demonstrating support for authoritarian regimes the world over -- Russia, Hungary, Poland, Turkey, China, and North Korea. It's an attitude that fits Trump nicely, who wants to be seen as bold and tough, and like the others he (and Bolton) emulate, absolutely hates dissent and criticism.
We've seen this governmental model many times throughout history, have we not? If you want to know why Macron and Merkel look upon America's direction under Trump with a mixture of disgust and apprehension, it is because the "strong man" theory of government is on the rise around the world -- with America in the forefront, rather than as the democratic bulwark against it.
7
The whole world needs to ignore him, best they can. He has us all on edge all the time. The press won't hold him accountable, but somebody will.
7
Think that the press tries but please remember that it is considered fake news by his followers. Many people listen to the Trump news station (Fox or Sinclair). This all I see at the gym, hospital etc., one of my sons says it is on 24/7 at the VA.
4
Just like in North Korea--propaganda being broadcast non-stop.
1
The best option: Wait until 2020.
unfortunately, if the economy is doing well, he will be re-elected.
By that time, half of the world will be blown up!
"Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said...that Washington 'no longer wants to cooperate with other parts in the world.... At this point, we have to replace the United States, which as an international actor has lost vigor, and because of it, in the long term, influence.'"
Trump is (blindly? willfully?) destroying something that took close to a century to build: our reputation. Once he has extinguished our beacon will he boast that our immigration problems are gone? Once our allies have found ways to sideline us and leave us behind will he say, "no more uneven ante"?
But there's hope in this: "Isn't it wiser," EU foreign policy advisor Nathalie Tocci asked, "to temporarily part ways...?" Temporarily! The world recognizes that these are aberrances, reflective of the outlier Donald Trump only and not endemic to the United States, and they wait for the sickness to pass. Or at least they hope it will. They'll have a much better idea of the long term prognosis after our next election on November 6.
In the meantime, if the other signatories to the accord can find ways to mitigate Trump's shortsighted impulses and continue it, that will be better for the world as a whole although not so good for the United States.
5
As an outsider looking on in dismay, the position of the USA and its leader today appears to be:
I have the power and the money;
Do as I say or I'll (threaten to) beat you up, economically or militarily;
I don't have to listen to anyone;
Facts are irrelevant - the truth is whatever I say it is;
I don't need friends (but I don't mind sycophants), and I'm getting rid of any of my former friends as quickly as I can; and
Promises? Ha! I don't have to keep any promises I make, and I can change my position in an instant.
16
" Do as I say or I'll (threaten to) beat you up, economically or militarily...."
Excellent point. Trump made this comment yesterday --" I would advise Iran not to start their nuclear program," I would advise them very strongly. If they do there will be very severe consequence."
1
Once again, Trump is acting on Putin's agenda, weakening relationships between the United States and its onetime allies.
5
This is really bad. Our President seeks to isolate Iran to denuclearize that country. Are we repeating the same mistake as we did in Iraq? First we check about weapons, then we lie that our citizens, that Iraq has WMD. I was in Europe when that war started. All of the EU knew there were NO WMD. yet our citizens thought by 82% there were. Our then President, or more accurately VP CHeney, now knew military actions can take place "because" there were "no" WMD. I fear this is what Presidents War Hawks in Washington are trying to do. I would not be surprised if they will invade Iran with Israel (they have been pushing for just such a reason. They can not stomach that Iran is still a Oil country. They want to eliminate them.
4
Despite his obvious and often disgusting flaws, Trump sees things that our supposed European “allies” willfully turn a blind eye to. Intent on pursuing their blinkered self interest as America, American taxpayers, and the American military protect them, it becomes apparent that Trump is right on two counts:
a) it is time for America to prioritize our own interests, we can’t continue to keep Russia out of Germany (as they were for many years) and at the same time provide free healthcare and free college for Americans, and
b) Having lived behind America’s skirt for 70 years, Europe has no idea how dangerous the world would be without Kennedy-esque courage to draw a line and strength to make that line stick.
1
That is some syllogism: 'free' healthcare and 'free' college as having some sort of pretzel-form relationship with defending Germany from Russia? Hm. How about: Trump and his cronies can pay all my medical bills forevermore should I ever feel the vanishingly small sentimental impulse to return to the country of my birth - a land that was able to engender such a monster and call it a 'President.' Please have a quickie read Mr Becker of Sonoma State - there's a library on campus, n'est-ce pas?- about national healthcare and the distribution of risk pools, and the principal of 'égalité. And you're comparing Trump to Kennedy? Kennedy understood the strategic value of international relations, for starters. The list goes on.
Try reading a book, Mr Becker. Maybe start with International Relations, if such a thing is available at the library of Sonoma State University.
You didn’t address a single one of my points. Your reply, which consists of a prolonged, disjointed, and petulant ad hominem, provides no substance to respond to.
The decision to not certify the Iran nuclear deal is a case of the tail wagging the dog, with the shots being dictated by TelAviv.
9
Have to disagree with the headline - Europeans are not being "humiliated" by Trump. They have been betrayed, they are learning not to trust the US for anything, and they are finding ways to work together without us. The US has become irrelevant and it will be difficult to get their trust back.
5
Europe cannot do without the Americans to defend them. Not do Europeans spend a fraction of what the US spends on armed forces, but it is pitifully effectual - each country has its own down at heel military industry to support, there is little sharing of equipment and logistics, no common operating procedures, many countries still use conscripts that are worse than useless in war, few countries have done any fighting in 50 years! Russia could walk it all the way to Paris and the only problem would be the rubber-neckers. Europe is defenceless. By choice
3
Have 2 sons in the service. Both are very impressed with the European militaries that they have worked with to the point that they have maintained friendships with the individuals they have worked with.
1
This can't be good for American interests either. What happens to the Boeing contracts with Iran? Or other American companies doing business there? The price of gasoline has been rising almost to $3 a gallon. Will it increase even more? There seems to be some misplaced gleefulness here over the impact on Europe but Americans will be affected too and not in a good way.
2
3$, I remember 4$ a gal. Our foreign policy under Trump is a joke. It won't be just gas, it will be what we sell to everyone as sanctions are applied. 1st by Trump and then in retaliation by others.
1
Europe isn't 'humiliated', just frustrated with Trump and terribly sad about what might well happen now.
4
In my humble opinion,the bad guys are the Iranian leaders, not the American or the Europeans.
President Trump is acting like the tough cop, while the trio MMM is acting like the good cop (someone would say like the corrupt cop).
I hope that, one way or another, they may force Iranian leaders to be accountable for its weapons.
2
The Iranian deal negotiated by an almost naive President Obama and an American negotiating team which seemed to act as if they were the weaker party was, in my opinion, a bad one. The Iranian regime, by any measure, is oppressive, corrupt and the chief provocateur in the middle east and its complete disappearance would be a boon to the world. All President Obama managed to do is to enable the regime, with the resulting huge windfall of money, to continue to do its worst.
The recent history of Europe, unfortunately, has been one of military weakness, failure to pay their fair share of its own defense, and a weak will to even defend its own interests. The chief European response to the deal was to rush in and do business with the devil. Unfortunately too many Times readers, in their rush to attack anything that President Trump does seem to ignore what has been the results of this non-treaty.
4
The purpose of the deal was to keep Iran from nuclear weapons, not to stop anything else.
By the way, I don't see americans complaining about the terrorism committed by the Sunnis, which are funded by the Saudis. Remember ISIS and Al Quada? Both Sunni. Both funded by Saudi interests.
If we had been honest, we could have negotiated with Iran in other areas. But now, that won't happen.
Oh the history of europe has been great military achievements, domination of the americas is one. They still dominate here.
3
Worked out so well in Iraq all that bravado & strength of the Bush/Cheney era. Lying to go to war at Israel & Saudi Arabia’s behest again, this time Iran is the target will not end well for the US. Iraq is a nightmare that won’t end & has become an pseudo Iranian state much like Syria & Lebanon. Iran now control influence to the Mediterranean Sea thanks to “strong” Presidents like Trump. It’s only a matter of time before it all blows up in his face.
1
I'm finding quite boring all the geopolitical analysis. Trump is like a 3-year-old who knows that he can get everyone's attention by grabbing a crayon and drawing on the walls. It's no more complicated than that. Everything the adults worked to create he threatens to destroy because it brings him the attention he craves. Nothing changes. Every day this is the story, the only story. The geopolitical rationalizations get used because we're unwilling to accept the real explanation that Trump is in it for the attention, that's all.
6
Most 3 year olds are better behaved
The solution - probably impossible - would be for Germany and France to unite into a single political entity, the Franco-German Republic. It would have a population of 150 million, nuclear weapons, a seat on the Security Council, and a strong economy. It would be the European Sun around which the smaller States of Europe would revolve.
If EU has a spine, it is time to show it and make decisions based on its own values, not hide behind US for “leadership”. If it cannot stand up to Trump, then it has to put up with him and stop whining. It could simply say, it does not care if Iran goes nuclear and let US handle the situation on its own with its elected leader, Trump, the great. But it won’t. It will sit wringing it’s hands and seek ways to save its face. Eventually China will become the world leader and EU will fall into its orbit.
There is no political "penalty" in the US for taking cheap shots at Europe, in general, and France, in particular. Mr. Erlanger knows that. He seemed to delight in joining in the "fun" while he was correspondent in Paris.
"Humiliation" is dangerous stuff. What goes around comes around.
It’s not the U.S. humiliating Europe, but Russia and China that worked to block any renegotiation.
1
And why should they. The goal was to stop Iran from having nuclear weapons. That was accomplished. Iran has no nukes nor could even start a program until the deal ended. And even then restrictions would apply.
This removes many incentives for Iran to stop building a nuclear weapon.
1
the level this president is dealing with the World's most important topics is like playing with sand pails and shovels. it looks like he's also not interested in the fine motor skills of politics. I refuse to believe that Mr Trump can do what he wants, displacing all values that made America so great by just pure narcism
2
A US - European split is exactly what Putin wished for. The grand strategist, who helped get Trump elected, is winning the big prize in the global chess game.
With Trump as his agent, Putin has succeeded in undermining the EU and the NATO alliance so he can re-assert Soviet -- I mean Russian -- dominance in Eastern Europe.
Meanwhile, Trump's base could care less. They have proven over and over again their love for white strong men like Putin and Trump who bully countries and people.
And they would rather have a Trump - Putin alliance that makes the world safe for billionaire oligarchs than advance democracy and freedom in their own country and around the globe.
9
The only way to effectively handle Trump is to ignore him. His attention-seeking behavior is only reinforced by Europeans flying in and attempting to rationalize the with the irrational. My golden rule is to ignore bad behavior and reward good behavior with attention. America's political gridlock means nothing ever actually happens and has been running on continuing resolutions for many years. This provides the stability the winners on Wall St and the Corporate sector thrive on. Trump is just the fat kid in the sandbox kicking everything around and if ignored will get bored and try something different eventually. If he does something good give him a pat on the back and a piece of candy. He will learn in time. The Constitution and electorate will move him on and maybe the next POTUS will be better.
3
It is we Americans who should feel humiliated - and many of us do - to know that one of our own could so blatantly and apparently happily set out to destroy so much in the world after so many years of the striving of others for peace, a clean environment and a livable future for generations to come.
It is we Americans who should feel humiliated that no one in our own country sees the need to remove this man from office but rather lets him carry on like a spoiled and dangerous child. Those in America who could do something about the problem are every bit as much to blame as Donald Trump himself and will bear the burden of what happens in every way.
1
Where did the "humiliation" word come from? Is it some editorialization to goad Europe into action? Who actually said that Europe was humiliated?
3
Nothing to see here. Review European history since the breakup of the Roman Empire for some context, it will help give a sense of who they are, why they were the centerpiece of two World Wars, and why the US should not be concerned about appeasing Europe and their continued fascination with past glory. They can’t fill a leadership vacuum, and haven’t been able to since the fall of Rome (Germany has tried often you will find).
But, when one thinks about it, they were nothing before Rome became an Empire, and now the very nation of its origins can’t even maintain a stable government.
Perhaps more humiliating, without the US, they can’t defend themselves (outside of nukes), nor can they impose their will or policy with the specter of a stout military. If Russia chose, it could roll over Europe conventionally if the US was a bystander.
Fortunately, that is not Russia’s goal, even though it has been repeatedly invaded by European powers during the very short course of the United States’ existence.
So to Europe and the spoiled, weak offspring it’s former greatness spawned, I say “It’s over folks, nothing to see here, just move along.”
2
We have been around a much shorter period than they have been. And our empire is failing. Our fall will be great.
1
Except we currently live in the most equal and equitable time in history, for all creeds and gender. The current form of human life started in the industrial revolution and has only gotten better with age.
We invented the current form of democracy for the people by the people. And just because you don’t like Republicans our Empire will not fall. This too shall pass.
We sure have lost perspective.
All that unrest then from those scared some minority is going to be shared is just going to away.
Republicans don't want equality and tolerance for the others. They work for the 1% to make sure we don't have an equal and equitable society.
Income inequality is at a high point for our nation, the wealth is concentrated among the smallest portion of people.
That is not equitable nor equal. And the unrest shows how it will hurt us. Throw in constant war that drains our lives and money, the constant fear factor where people are willing to do anything, no matter how immoral to others.
Torture is back on the table. I remember when we prosecuted those who used the same 'enhanced' interrogation techniques the US is willing to use.
Democracies are only as good as what they practice and ours has always been one to be ruled by the rich. That was Rome's failure also. The people saw the empire going to the highest bidder as we practice now.
There is huge difference between what was invented and what really occurs. Ideals don't matter when they are never followed.
Americans will pay for Trump's betrayal of the Atlantic alliance, certainly in treasure, with rising oil prices benefitting the Saudis and Trump's billionaire oil men buddies. Higher oil will cause a Trump Inflation, higher interest rates and an end to the Obama recovery.
Maybe blood, too. Trump's Mussolini project needs a splendid little war, though Iran is more likely to turn out to be a second version of Iraq, breeding a Shia version of ISIS.
In the end, Trump may wind up humiliating America much more than the honest allies he betrayed.
2
This Trump guy is the unspooling of the Western World consensus/alliance. Amazing to watch the edifice come apart, brick by brick. Does anyone else think the Chinese and maybe even the Russians will fill the void? The USA goes out, not with a bang but a whimper. We were a paper tiger after all.
1
I am watching this American charade of the Trump presidency very closely from the beginning and I have the impression that it is getting more chaotic and utterly crazy from week to week. Besides all the problems we have here in Europe, we should recollect ourselves to our strengths, which are political predictability and reliability and overall well functioning social systems. Neither of this can be said for the U.S. I strongly argue in favour of disassociating ourselves from the United States, his president and his politics. To be honest: this man D.T. is unbearable and the declaration of intellectual and moral bankruptcy, an embarrassment to your country. In times like these I am proud to be a citizen of Europe.
2
As a US citizen, I say run away and protect yourself from us. For we face the failure of our empire and the crash will be as bad as the roman empire failure.
Thoughtful, intelligent and informed European leaders tried reasoning with a reality TV buffoon and lost. That should hardily be a surprise to any of us at this point. Trump is not a real President but just a washed up businessman playing at being one. I do not see that he has any capacity to understand complex situations or even the desire to learn. He "governs" with the same instincts that lead him into one business disaster after another, and which will ultimately lead the US down the same path. He wistfully muses about his upcoming Nobel prize while I see him clearly being the worst US President of all time.
2
Though the first signs of transatlantic strains had surfaced during the unilaterlaist assertions by the US under George Bush's presidency, it's under Trump administration that these tensions have turned into serious differences on major policy issues ranging from war, trade, climate change or global regional stability and peace. It is time Europe takes full charge of its defense, development, and international diplomacy without looking for the US guidance, at least, till Trump is replaced by a new leader who cares about the US-Europe relations.
1
Majority of Americans still have their roots in Europe via their ancestors. It is only natural that an affinity exists. It will be hard to maintain transatlantic strains since it will be against their natural affection towards each other. Politicians do not represent the true feelings of populace, they are only mischief makers when it comes to inter nation politics.
2
European leaders should remember that for most Americans, at least 60% of us, Trump is the “accidental President,” an illegitimate leader who is in office because of a compromise made in forming our government about 230 years ago. They should proceed forward with their agendas, knowing that a majority of America is on their side. If Trump wants to continue to make the US a rogue nation among the Atlantic alliance, so be it... America will deal with cleaning up its’ mess in 2018 and 2020.
386
Trump is a rogue president. He is a man of destruction be it people, business or domestic or foreign policies. He leaves a trail of destruction and takes credit for things other people did.
Israel with the blessings of Trump has increased its aggression in the ME, so has Saudi Arabia. He is destroying NATO and the EU.
It is time Russia, China, and the Europeans unite.
29
I suppose it depends on the poll. Rasmussen had him at 51% a few days ago, and IPOS had him at 49%. I think he's went down a few points since then, but I think that 60% number is quite accurate. Either way we had a fair and square election in this country, and Trump was very forthcoming about his intentions with Iran. The people who voted for him knew exactly what he was going to do with this deal, and it's one of the things that influenced their vote. It may not be the decision you wanted, but that's how democracy works.
9
I am afraid that "One of Many" will be disappointed when our international standing doesn't bounce back once we toss this odious tyrant out, along with some of his GOP supporters. A lot of international soft power comes from trust, and it may take generations to restore that.
The rest of the world will doubtless note how easily Trump and his base managed to take over one of the two major US political parties. The compromise made 230 years ago is still in place and unlikely to be changed much in the future. After WWII, Germany changed its government and its society to make it much harder for a fringe party to take it over. Despite that, many countries still do not fully trust Germany even 70 years later.
Trump's supporters expect that our hard military power will solve the problem of trust, as other countries try to curry favor with the country that has the strongest military. I suspect that the opposite will happen. Power without trust inspires fear, not alliance.
36
The current administration relies primarily on three foreign partners for advice and support: Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Our European allies should not be expected to be happy about this, and we should not be so willing to throw them under the bus to please our current favorites. Opposition to Trump's foreign policy should concentrate on attacking his new, non-critical alliances with these three countries.
1
That Europe's leaders were humiliated is too simple for my taste. We don't know what they exactly talked about but without doubt they have shown Trump the choices that they now face and tried to get an impression of how Trump would react to countermeasures. A big part of good diplomacy is preventing surprises.
1
yes, it's about time europe took responsibility for its own defense and other actions that have led to a downfall of its economy
3
Trump is risking long term gains realized from forging alliances with time tested allies by going for quick wins. Very businessman like approach; not to mention the influence from Jared Kushner and the well paid lobbyists of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies.
It’s not hard to guess that undoing all of the hard work that went into the deal is for higher oil prices and Israel. As is always the case, it’ll be left to another President of America to clean-up the mess. I have every confidence the American voting public will see to that sooner than later.
6
From a european perspective it seems that these days US consistently are making surprisingly bad choices - and that China for the most part are making surprisingly good choices. Maybe we should rethink who our real allies are.....
24
Maybe not "allies", but as a reliable partner in a new rules based order.
1
Jeppe
As an American , it really saddens me to hear this from a country like Denmark which has shown strength and courage through thick and thin as our beloved ally. And as a Jew ,my thoughts harken back to the Danish King during WW2 who bravely stood up to Hitler protecting Danish Jews by himself wearing an armband as he rode the streets of Copenhagen .
Every American is now suffering at the hands of the immature and selfish behavior that Trump shows as he favors Russia over keeping our commitments with our allies. This is despite all of his own military and security cabinet members urging Trump not to take this foolhardy action.
All I can say as an American is to apologize to every allied country around the world who gets spit in the face by this arrogant narcissistic destroyer.
2
True
Now would be a good time for the EU to clarify and refresh its guiding principles and standards. It has become an unwieldy, directionless trade association rather than the stabilizing promoter of liberal values that was originally intended and that we very much need today.
8
One of the main reasons the European Union was created was to counter balance the influence and power of the United States. When it came to defense, diplomacy or trade, the EU, speaking with one voice, was supposed to be a real player at the international negotiating table. In the best of times, it has struggled to achieve that dream. Today, in the worst of times, it has failed miserably.
European leaders have shown they really don't know what to do when it comes to handling a crises. Sometimes, during these moments (like the immigration crisis), I get the feeling that the EU is looking to the United States asking, "Please tell us what to do!"
I have written in this forum before that the EU, and other nations, need to disengage from the United States. It will be painful and probably chaotic. But any nation tied on to the S.S. United States of America when it goes down will also be taken down to the bottom. Think of the pain and chaos that will cause!
8
The EU was not established to counter US power. It always had a central economic objective to improve the economies of Europe and to create synergies between them.
24
The EU was created by the US for one reason: to bind European nations closer together so they wouldn't wage war on each other anymore. In that regard it's worked very well. In others it's still learning to walk.
4
WWI was the war to end all wars..and then there was WWII. The EU was started with the most noble of intentions - to stop the bloodshed and try to live in cooperation, peace and prosperity. The US was the great European ally not (yet) an influence to be countered.
Europe is fumbling trying to figure out what to do with a global leadership vacuum. But what they need to realize is that it's time for them to step up and be the global leadership because the United States government is on hiatus right now, and even the people of the United States will be looking to Europe for direction and hope.
38
By reneging on America's commitments and ignorantly stomping around the world stage like he is still the ignorant chancellor of Trump University, the only things Trump has humiliated is America and the American people.
63
When the GOP supporters sided with the worst person ever Trump they not only messed up and divided the USA but our longtime friends and allies. You GOP don’t deserve to vote for the mess you caused putting this man in and his GOP cohorts.
28
The end of the world can't come too soon for denizens of Snakebit Holler USA.
A new axis is forming, with Russia and the United States at its hub, and likely including North Korea, China, the Philippines and any other country that values fascism. They will soon start the world war against the despicable allies, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Korea, and Australia. The bad guys may win this time.
11
There is no reason for the Europeans to feel humiliated.
As bad as Trump is, the alternatives for Europe are worse.
9
Not really, the alternative is a more united Europe, and Trump is pushing us in this direction. We don’t really need the U.S.
42
Perhaps crack a European history book over the weekend. Memories and bloodlines run deep and long, and Europe is not a nation of aligned people and culture. It’s an amalgam kept together by necessity, a living museum stuck in the memories of past glory. It can’t even supply its own energy needs, hence the cow-towing to Russia and the Middle East.
Good luck.
2
Sure - please remember that when Russia starts annexing Eastern Europe after you strong and independent Europeans cut ties with NATO.
Also remember that after China - 1 party rule with high tariffs and restricted access to their markets - engulfs your economy after stealing what little intellectual property rights you have developed.
Europe is the spoiled children resenting their parents telling them what to do, even though we’re right.
I abhor DT, but his actions are spot on. No more appeasing China because they use slave labor to produce cheap products. And no more allowing rogue nations to proliferate nuclear weapons.
1
How feminine the whole thing is: fawning European leaders, sprays of bravado, courtesies and kicks. What next, Richards and whips!?
3
Why should "Europe" be cast as being "humiliated" for having tried to get Trump to do what is in America's and the world's interests? Trying to move this ignoramus to keep the world safer, cleaner, more democratic, etc. and failing is better than just giving up and saying it is futile. It is standing for principles, not a "humiliation."
696
I completely agree. The headline should describe Europe as being "ignored by Trump", "betrayed by Trump" or "rebuked by Trump." Or perhaps, "After being toyed with by Trump, Europe struggles to defend its interests." On the other hand, it is humiliating for European leaders to be paraded around by Trump, while he basks in their subordination to him, even if it is for the right reason. Trump denigrates everything and everyone around him, so the mere act of standing next to the man at a podium, is an act of humiliation. And he has done it to them again and again, with the Paris Climate Agreement and now this. Trump enjoys forcing people to grovel before him, pretend to consider their arguments and then completely ignore them. No leader should fall for this again.
34
Yes, exactly. How does the unwise action of a US president humiliate Europe? How about hobble, dismay, anger, concern?
Our poor choice of a president humiliates us, not other nations.
39
Why are we not getting rid of Saudi Arabia? They are not any better with their own citizens. Because they are more cunning in their skills of manipulation? They bred the citizens who attacked our world trade center. No Iranian was involved in it atrocity. The Saudis are horrible. The Saudis are cruel in the treatment of women especially. It is not a democratic country either, more dangerous with its Shariah laws, and more extreme in their religious teachings. Ones again it is people like you who are being fed the fake news and hatred until we can attack Iran. Pathetic indeed. I can't believe the NYT takes this as a "times pick".
6
"Europe" got very used to Obama doing whatever they wanted and weakening the US. Not so much anymore.
A group of countries that cannot defend themselves and were looking to make money off the Mullahs in Iran are getting all the respect they deserve.
There is nothing they can do and they know it. Weakness has a price.
9
Spending most of it budget for the military and playing world's sheriff (lately more bully) also has it's price. Just imagine, how much better health care, infrastructure, education and social security in the US could be, if these branches would be better funded! Most European countries favour to finance these branches, since it makes our societies safer, improves the life of our people and thrives our economy. Investing most of its budget in its military and defence industry only rises the risk, that this power will be abused in a war of aggression.
17
Sorry, but you need to look at the actual numbers. US spends far more on Social Security and Health and Human Services than on military. Military, overall, is less than 20% of the budget.
Every society has to provide security for itself and its people and Europe decided to rely virtually entirely on the US for its security.
Most of the rest of your points are just European superiority fantasy which would take far too long to address.
1
Stopping Iran from getting atomic weapons is NOT a bad idea.
The treaty was NOT one-sided in the least, and could have allowed the US and Europe to step in when the theocracy falls to current crises already bringing them down.
When even supporters of the imams start questioning their power as a possible reason for an extended drought, we may well lead them away from any kind of desire for an Islamic Bomb based in a non-Arab nation. They have reached the point where none of their NEIGHBORS trust them, but until last week, the US and Common Europe were willing to help them if they gave up the power ti build a nuclear weapon in need of tests, and a delivery system that would leave them more of a target.
Read the treaty, examine global benefits of taking the bomb from their reach, then reconsider your rather Trumpish attack on our allies.
Unless we try to isolate ourselves from the world, the treaty effectively puts the entire Iranian nuclear program in NATO’s hands.
1
I second the comments made here by others from Europe. The US is not humiliating Europe or merely isolating itself; this crosses over into self-harm.
18
"The US is not humiliating Europe or merely isolating itself; this crosses over into self-harm."
That would be the case if the US was running trade surplus with the EU and if the EU was spending more for collective defense than the US. As is the EU is leaching on the US, while at the same time being weaker. They don't hold any trump card agains the US.
1
Defense spending has zero correlation to trade imbalances.
Self harm? Not for the US.
We are energy independent, we are not in range of an Iranian nuke even if they had one, and we are positioned tactically and mentally to deal with terrorism.
The Middle East can further devolve into chaos with Europe and Russia falling into that quagmire (foolishly) while the US and China become the new dual-superpowers that collaborate to bring the world into a new era (Korean peace to start) and mop up the Old World once it’s finished with its death throes.
You’ll know this is happening when we pull back our military resources in Europe, (Brexit was the precursor) and fully remove the restraints on Israel taking military action at will (this has already started).
Once again the European peoples will have their heads spinning wondering how this could all happen, as they did twice already in the 20th century.
To whom is Trump listening when he takes such inane decisions? The "End Timer" evangelicals, that's who. They want a war in the Middle East. They want what Revelations "foretells." They want the Second Coming. They want Armageddon. They want the Apocalypse. They want all the billions of deaths required for them to "rapture" up to heaven.
They are Trump's people. And Trump will give them what they want as long as he gets their votes. Whatever the cost to the rest of us.
29
That's right. Millenarianism is America's number one mental illness. The notion that the US is a divine creation is the most arrogantly specious political belief on Earth.
Trump's America is one of isolation from the rest of the world, marginalization of nonwhites and the poor in America, and kleptocracy of the type not seen in over 100 years. So far, he's right on target to drag America backward from the future. In addition, the isolation is sure to help Putin's Russia gain more influence in the world as Europe decides what to do without American leadership.
The midterms, and 2020 afterward, cannot come quickly enough. Trump must be stopped by all legal means at our democracy's disposal. If power is taken away from the Republicans in Congress, Trump's behavior can be checked, until the 2020 election, when hopefully Trump can be replaced. I know I'll be out there with my vote!
I can only hope that our most important allies can wait that long. Signs are that they are turning away from America/Trump, as America (mostly Trump) is turning away from them.
19
Trump finds it easy to pick on a weak country since he cannot standup to either of the two gorillas (China and Russia).
5
japan and Germany are occupied territories that's why we have numerous bases in both countries. are we there to defend the? we are there to keep them down. the other nato countries are nothing more than vassal states.
the nato gang is just like your neighborhood gang. once you joined don't expect to get out. rumor has it they actually have enforcer.
our spooks created chaos in Africa. boom. Africom.
If he took on either of those countries, you'd have an aneurysm.
Simple way for the Iranians to solve this problem. Abandon their nuclear weapons program and let their economy thrive unhindered by sanctions and enjoy prosperity that Persians are capable of producing. No brainer!!!
66
They tried that. Then Donald Trump was elected and re-imposed sanctions even though Iran had ended its nuclear weapons program and turned over the raw materials to build nuclear weapons. The U.S. under Trump doesn't seem to be able to stick to any bargain it makes.
104
It's not about their Nuc program. It's about their right to sell "their" oil at their prices in competition against OPEC. It's also about a proposed pipeline connecting them to Russia and China which passes through oddly enough, Syria; a pipeline which would be a direct threat to the pipeline the Saudis want to build that would also run through oddly enough, Syria. The Nuc program has always been under control.
60
Indeed it was a simple way to solve the problem, and that's exactly the agreement they entered into. The problem was solved, after much negotiation and diplomacy between Iran, the US and Europe.
But now Trump has unilaterally decided to renege on the agreement and reimpose sanctions, despite the fact that everyone agrees that Iran did abandon their nuclear weapons program. Trump thinks he can just throw out the current agreement and impose all sorts of new requirements on Iran without giving up anything else.
Of course, the neocon Rasputin figures whispering in his ear know that such a deal is highly unlikely, but their real objective isn't to end the nuclear weapons program. It's war, and this deal prevents their desired military regime change. They want war with Iran, and they are pretty open about it. Since the US has broken the deal, it's probably in Iran's self-interest to ramp up their nuclear program quickly to prevent an American invasion, which could lead to a world war.
65
Maybe the European leaders are taking a long term view. Mr Trump has somewhere between 2 and a half to 6 years left. They may well be hoping to wait out the storm and hope it doesn't do too much irreparable damage to the U.S.'s power to influence world events.
5
Lots of damage in 2 - 6 years.
US courts are likely to be an order magnitude more arrogantly flaky than they are already.
These frustrated European leaders should stop worrying about President Trump and consider how their own political futures will fare in the era of increased nationalism and parochialism. The advent of Donald Trump simply represents the feelings among many Americans that economic globalism and multi-national politics has not served their personal interests, and that it might be better to look inwards. The mainstream leaders of Europe are going to get swamped by the same views of their citizens, and unless they want to become the former leaders of their countries, they should work to put their own countries first too. That's what this new era will be about.
1
No, it won't. Simply, because even our elections have shown this is NOT want the majority wants, it is what big money, big right wing media and a large racist minority of patsies want.
Doesn't it work both ways, the Europeans don't get what they want from Trump but Trump doesn't get what he wants from the Europeans?
4
Do the Europeans care what happens the US ? of course they do not, its all about making money.
4
And the US isn't all about greed? When we give tax cuts to the very rich? When greed is the 1st word on the lips of Trump and the swamp dwellers?
Apologies if this is a stupid question, but has Trump ever stated his exact reasons for pulling out of the Iran deal? All I've seen is his usual barely coherent splutters (Worst deal! Terrible! Awful, truly awful! etc etc), not one actual reason.
43
Can't come up with a reason unless you can reason.
11
Yes, Bibi and the Saudis want to attack Iran. Bolton wants to attack Iran. Many neocons want to attack Iran. Remember Bomb, bomb bomb Iran from McCain?
Iran has oil, just like Iraq. Attacking them and taking over (which the US did once before with the Shah of Iran to steal their oil), gives the US more oil.
To the Saudis, their religious enemies are destroyed, the Iranians are Shi'ites, the Sunnis of Al Quada and ISIS are Sunni.
For Israel who want to create the Greater Israel of biblical days (The stated goal of Bibi's party), gets rid of Iran funding to stop Israel from taking the West Bank and Gaza. Thus Israel can far easier take over when the palestinians can no longer defend themselves.
Many decent jews are against this plan, unfortunately the far right in Israel holds power.
1
The EU is within its rights to defy the US and defy any US-imposed sanctions against Iran since Iran has not been found to be in violation of the JCPOA. European leaders should stop pretending that Trump can be won over. He should be treated like a rogue dictator until he is removed from power. Then America can be America again and we can return to being a respected world leader.
46
Shunning is the only proper handling of psychopaths like Trump. The man poisons the lives of everyone he affects.
The Europeans that think that President Trump will listen to reason and logical argument are deluding themselves. President Trump views himself as an "expert" on everything and believes that force is the best diplomacy. The Europeans could learn a thing or two from the Chinese, who will bluntly resist the US's demands to restructure their economy according to Steve Mehchen's "Plan." Trump for all his bluster about what a great deal maker he is has generated exactly "zero" deals. All he has done is tear up the ones that his predecessors made.
31
Trump just cost European firms tens of billions in contracts with Iran, but what does he care? What does his base care? And you wonder why Americans are becoming the most hated nations in the world?
28
Maybe. But any attempt by Trump to put sanctions on Europe will lead to sanctions against the US. Europe can turn to Russia for oil and other goods. China is eager to fill the void created by the US.
It can easily hurt the US far more as the world ignores us and trades with many others for goods.
If the signing nations want protest Trump's rogue ways, all they have to do is not honor his reinstatement of sanctions.
Caving into Trump's agenda of running the world as if it's his coffee table is not a road that leads to anything good for anyone.
14
Is this a news piece or an opinion piece? It reads as though it's an opinion piece but doesn't seem to be labeled as such.
10
Was the headline written by Mr Erlanger or by the New York Times staff? NATO and the European Union were not and will never be humiliated by Trump's America. A politically incorrect and inappropriate headline. Who wrote it?
12
Attribute this relationship setback to “growing pains”. Europe is lost. May the US lead her on matters that actually matter, like ending nuclear proliferation.
2
We are armed to the teeth with that stuff. But my neighbor may not have them? How does that square with your NRA thinking to weaponize everyone. Right. Thought so. Another fault in your in-cohesive worldview.
As Trump is proving, respect and strength gets the job done on the World stage. Obama was likable but no one really respected him. He was weak and inexperienced and that's just how our foes and allies took full advantage of him. Obama will go down in history as America's Neville Chamberlin.
6
Your prediction and your spelling are both wrong! Trump will go down in history as the catastrophe that began the downfall of the US, and the start of a dark age for the human condition.
1
Perhaps many don't realize but European countries are virtual vassal states. They play up their opposition to US foreign policy and Trump but do precious little when push comes to shove. Trump as school yard bully with backing of US military and backing of significant portion of US populace can do as he pleases.
Europeans, like Democrats, left wringing their hands in impotent despair. All part of the show folks. Only thing that really matters in equation is financial markets stability. Everything else, sideshow.
4
They don't want to pay for their own defense. If the reject the U.S. their free ride is over.
7
That’s what Trump says. Lying, as usual. The biggest threat to Europe doesn’t come from Iran, by the way, but from Trump’s handler Putin. With every decision Trump makes, you have to ask yourself how his buddy Putin benefits from it.
10
And the other bigger threat is the Saudis who fund the Sunnis of ISIS. Iran doesn't fund that terrorism, the Saudis do.
The thought that Europeans have been humiliated by Trump’s unilateral violation of the Iran agreement hadn’t occurred to me.
I’m sure they are angered and disgusted.
But if anyone is humiliated, embarrassed or ashamed, it must be the American electorate. Trump is their poisonous gift to the world.
29
Paid? That was their money, one could argue stolen by the US (AS it was successfully argued.). WE took their money after they revolted against the Shah of Iran who was the US installed puppet. We overthrew the democratically elected government and put the Shah into power. We helped him create a secret police feared by the Iranians. We funded and trained them in the arts of torture.
For decades we stole their oil at cheap prices while the Shah kept them under control with his feared secret police.
The deal merely gave them their money back
1
NATO is dead. It is time for the democratic nations of Europe, lead by Germany and France [forget stupid Britain] to form a common alliance of defense and to build a military establishment of reasonable size that is a deterrent to the inimical forces of neo-fascism in Eastern Europe and Russia. This means it is time to jettison the dependence on the decrepit and mercurial United States. Recognizing that dependence on the US and the fools its uniformed electorate places in power is the first step towards a rational and sustainable foreign policy.
It is time to tell the US, "Your interests no longer align with ours. Good bye." Europe should not be hitching its star to this unworthy and unrelaiable so-called ally that can't keep its word.
It is time to tell nations such as Poland and Hungary to shape up or go back to the cozy quarters of Mother Russia.
23
They have had decades to build a "military establishment of reasonable size" and have never done so. Europe is weak and dependent on the United States for its defense. They can complain all they want, but there is nothing they can do.
Please, let us go, we have relationship with a billion plus person emerging market to finish building out.
And next time, when the phone rings for help, we won’t answer with our treasure or our children.
1
False. Just propaganda. Europe would gladly see US bases reduced and closed. US won't do it. Ask DoD to close Ramstein. They will laugh you out of the room. Our President just looking for others to pay for our military.
1
All Europe cares about is its commercial interests. They would deal with the devil if they had to. They have no moral authority, and their own history of colonialism and two world wars which we saved them disqualifies them from rendering any judgment regarding the USA's actions. In any event they are irrelevant.
2
Says someone who is obviously from fairly recent European descent, not Native American (slaughtered and betrayed by whites in the 19th century and still marginalized), or African (shipped to the US like freight and brutally enslaved by whites). Materialism is Made in America, that’s why they still don’t have decent health care for all and trash their environment with pollution.
10
And pray tell, the US doesn't have commercial interests to protect? The reason why we overthrew the government of Iran in the first place was the US commercial interests. It is why we installed a brutal dictator in power to reign over them and milk the people dry.
Maybe the countries of Europe will be so humiliated that they will actually pick up the tab for their own self-defense. They might be so humiliated they will stop running a huge trade surplus with us.
In reality, they will do nothing...and continue to enjoy the riches they accrue on account of the US.
2
Like, affordable health care and accessible quality education for all, paid for from taxes, not US largesse, and strong environmental, consumer and privacy protection, benefits that are trashed by Trump in the US? Get your own house in order before judging others!
8
Do you know how a trade surplus happens? Largely by having superior products (and lower costs of doing business). Why would anyone in the US buy a BMW rather than a Ford?
3
Um the ford needs to be replaced more often, thus creating more jobs as we need to buy new cars?
This is simply one more step towards isolation. At some point I guess we will call the US "the hermit kingdom". I can only hope that Europe stands up and continues to work with Iran. How can Trump expect Iran to listen to his threats when he walks away from a binding agreement? And his buddy Bibi is definitely not in a safer place now!
11
Everyone should have figured out by now that he’s just doing all of this to be the center of attention. He’s a performance artist. Does anyone honestly believe that the man who requires briefings to be limited to one page can tell you anything about the Iran deal, even a single actual fact? Of course not. He puts on the show so everyone will come and kiss his ring, so that everyone is talking about him. And then when the show has dragged on enough he does whatever will upset the most amount of people.
He couldn’t care less about anything other than how much attention he’s getting. It’s literally that simple.
11
Does anyone believe he (DJT) even read/understands the Iran Agreement? I didn’t think so. Rex Tillerson was right...DJT is a moron.
1
is this an oped? i don't see any European sources saying they feel humiliated. nytimes, try reporting instead of editorializing. the headline is ridiculous.
16
One thing that we all know about Trump is that he is not a politician or diplomatic. One of the wealthiest man in the world said "trump is a good negotiator" I do not agree with any of his methods, but maybe this one ignoring a trade is because the US will get little benefit from it. Him not answering to other world leathers definitely talks bad about him. Since he took over the presidency is been chaotic for the country in many ways. All the changes he has made will have repercussions in the entire world, but "we'll see"
2
The US Constitution is a relic of two centuries past when most European countries were ruled by monarchs with absolute, unfettered powers. The US president was granted vast powers by the framers of the Constitution, based on the European model. However, it left the possibility open that, in the face of a complaint Congress, the president could act like a dictator, not much different from the autocrats of today’s Middle East. Most European countries have in the meanwhile evolved into democracies, where the real power rests with the Parliament, and the prime ministers can be readily removed by it. Much like absolute rulers of the past, if the US president is wise, moral and insightful, the country remains safe and prospers. Conversely, if the president lacks these virtues, the country can suffer gravely. Fortunately, most of our recent presidents have ruled with wisdom and self-imposed restraint. With the election of President Trump, we have entered a new, uncharted course and only the future will tell what happens to this great nation when he finishes.
14
The right headline would be:
America, Again Humiliated by Trump, Struggles to Defend its its Interests.
33
I'm in Europe (I'm an American), and I have to say, this headline does not reflect what I'm seeing. Disgust is a thing I've heard several times today, along with betrayal, anger, and pity (for Americans). It is clear that Trump is isolating us from the rest of the world (with the exception of Russia), and he should not be surprised when the world turns its back on us. These other countries have stood behind their word, unlike the US, which under the current administration, cannot be trusted.
38
Odd headline. America should feel humiliated that they voted such a terrifying fool into the White House.
Europe is both angry by the actions of an astonishingly ignorant man, and very afraid as we are so near to the Middle East. Trump could start World War III. All it takes is for Iran to lob bombs at Turkey or Israel to show they are still powerful despite Trump's snub...and those countries would retaliate..other European countries would feel compelled to get involved.
God forbid Trump has anymore to do with world politics/safety. The man is a dangerous buffoon.
30
Europe has their interests and we in the US have our own.
4
Does that include California and the other US states suing the Trump administration about trashing their emissions standards? Seems that Trump is in a category of his own defending his personal interests, often against US interests and those of anyone else, except Putin’s. Where are his tax returns, by the way?
8
Europe is weak. half the countries in the bloc especially the eastern part love Trump. it's the old allies that dont. They can complain all they want so.what. There is no alternative and they know it
2
Satire from Andy Borowitz--- far out, but not THAT far.
“Trump Considering Pulling U.S. Out of Constitution
Calling it “maybe the worst deal ever,” Donald J. Trump said on Wednesday that he is considering pulling the U.S. out of the U.S. Constitution.
“I’ve seen a lot of bad deals in my life, but this Constitution is a total mess,” he said. “We need to tear it up and start over.”
Trump was scathing in his remarks about the two-hundred-and-twenty-nine-year-old document, singling out for special scorn its insistence on three branches of government. “The branches thing is maybe the worst part of this deal,” he said. “The first thing we do when we pull out of the Constitution is get rid of two of those branches.”
He also called the First Amendment “something that really has to go.”
“No one in his right mind would put something like that in a Constitution,” he said. “Russia doesn’t have it. North Korea doesn’t have it. All the best countries don’t have it.”
He stopped short of accusing his predecessor, Barack Obama, of writing the United States Constitution, but said, “He’s working hard behind the scenes trying to save it, because he knows that the Constitution is very, very bad for me.”
Vowing to replace the Constitution with “a new, much, much better Constitution,” he acknowledged that there might be some elements of the original document worth salvaging. “We’re going to keep the 2nd Amendment,” he said, “and definitely the 5th.”
He'll let us know which he'll keep.
24
I recall reading an article by Timothy Snyder --- it must have been a couple of years ago now --- warning about Putin's goals to drive a wedge through NATO and diminish the overall solidarity of Europe. Trump is sure abiding by Putin's playbook. I think Trump is painfully aware of, and sore about how little esteem Europeans have for him --- and not just the European leaders, either. Whatever their political leanings, Europeans seem to come together in the belief that Trump is an untrustworthy, boorish, and greedy tool.
8
"Europe, Humiliated"? How about ...."Putin Smiles"
We are the ones who should be humiliated.
12
The longer the EU declines its world leadership role in deference/obescience to the nationalist insanity of the current U.S. administration and its fascist Congressional collaborators, the chances that "populism, migration, Islamophobia — and the challenge to its values of democracy and rule of law" will grow exponentially and plunge the continent back into the dark ages.
Stand Up Europe! It is time to take the stage again!
5
Europe should not feel humiliated. America should. What an embarrassment. Now, Macron on the other hand, should stop trying to appeal to Trump's narcissism. No more hugging, kissing, grooming or other symbols of submission to this monster. Treat Trump as any world leader. When he acts badly on the world stage, punish him. Do not appease, do not surrender to his ego. He will never reciprocate in any case. He is a danger to the world and the world owes him nothing. Europe, Japan and other liberal democratic nations should stand tall together and move forward, with our without the USA. America has made its bed, let it lie in it.
7
Poor Macron - flattery got you nowhere
8
Amerika ueber alles is what he seems to be saying. We know how that worked out.
4
It’s looks like Plan B is war.
Back at the time of Bush Jr.’s invasion of Iraq, the neo-cons kept repeating: “anyone can go to Baghdad; real men go to Tehran.”
It’s hard to see any other outcome today. That’s why Trump keeps alleging that Iran is the greatest state sponsor of terror. He can invoke the AUMF, (authorization for the use of military force), passed by Congress after 9/11 and used to justify every US military adventure since then. At the very least it should have been repealed long ago so that Congress can reclaim from the president its Constitutional power to make war.
4
Europe simply needs to bide its time until the treasonous liar in chief is gone. We all do. Patience!
3
Once again the NYTs make up catchy titles full on sensationalism which don’t reflect the contents within. Europe Humiliated??? Who are you kidding.
7
Humiliated: to make a body feel ashamed and foolish by injuring that body's dignity and self-respect.
How can anyone, let alone the people of a continent consisting of highly developed countries feel humiliated by the words and actions of the most disrespected leader of any developed country anywhere.
5
It is crystal clear where the EU stands: a union without a backbone. Europe is a slave to the U.S. because they lack forcefulness to stand up against the U.S. and be recognized as a leader in this world. It is like after the French revolution, and after England lost America they decided to become nations of followers, not nations of leaders. They need to wake up fast. Is there more that the EU doesn't see that they think less of themselves than the clear arrogance and emptiness of Trump. Europe needs to stand up against the shallowness of Trump and move on with there own aims and goals. There are no sanctions against Europe, but it appears the EU thinks otherwise.
2
How do people come up with such historically unsubstantiated garbage? Do they teach that on the back of milk cartons?
It all comes down to sovereignty. NATO countries have eroded their own sovereignty because they don’t pay for their own defense.
The US spends twice as much on the military than the rest of NATO combined. Even though we are protected by two oceans, whereas they have Russia as a neighbor, who has recently invaded Europe.
When at a fundamental level, the existence of their countries depends on our grace, then of course they will be begging us for favors and we will naturally reject them without a second thought if it doesn’t favor us.
4
It is difficult to maintain a world wide empire without spending vast amounts of money on the military. Without the military, the US cannot insist that everyone else fall on their knees, open mouth, and be prepared for the american thrust.
Silly speculation by the author of this article.
2
The spineless GOP won’t do anything. Just as in the early 2000’s, it’s going to take a Democratic administration to repair our relationships throughout the world.
2
"Europe humiliated by Trump" says the New York Times?
No. Europe attacked and harmed by the United States.
America humiliated by Trump.
11
Of course this is what Trump voters were thinking about when they cast their vote for him, right?
Good luck, America.
4
It will be remembered in History as the day Pax Americana ended.
5
Serious long term harm is likely to occur to USA due to uninformed, arrogant policies of the current administration. It is possible that in short term the accumulated goodwill of the past US administrations and the current economic & military dominance ( though dwindling) may provide Mr Trump with a chest thumping, self-declared victory. But all our allies will start planning a world in which they can defy the USA and perhaps even levy sanctions on the USA like Mr Trump so easily threatens to wield on the rest of the world.
5
These guys don't sound like they are going to do more than talk and complain and hope Iran will not do anything because they agree with them that trump is being unreasonable. It is pretty obvious what has to be done to make the USA (us) pay for their opposition to the pact. First of all, no one in europe should ever buy a european plane and make sure china does not either. Secondly china and europe should commit to buying only european and japanese heavy equipment. Finally Siemens should be the go to supplier(not GE) for power turbines in europe, china and the developing world.
Trump and bibi really want to kill this deal but most of trumps aids are pretty lukewarm to the whole thing. If europe makes themselves an incessant pain in the neck, Trump will fold because he is LAZY and his aids will not have the enthusiasm to push back
2
I think you stated that a bit wrong in the 2nd paragraph. I am sure you meant that europe should buy their own planes
Europe was not "humiliated" by Trump. Just badly used. Trump is humiliating all of us.
11
We seem to forget that each player has alternatives.
Our biggest national champions are finance, tech, and pharma. It seems easy for Europe to come down hard on them.
2
Maybe a Nobel Peace Prize could help. Worked with Obama.
4
Yes he got the Iranians to stop building nuclear weapons. Whoops, that is off the table now.
Western Europe is much stronger than they think. They need to tell Donald Trump to take a hike. He's a failure, a blowhard and a liar. The sooner he departs the better off we'll all be. When he has stolen as much money as he can, he'll sneak off in the middle of the night like the lowlife he is. Hopefully, he'll take his thieving cabinet with him. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
16
Agreed! The first casualty might be F35, why would Europe or even Canada buy or agree to continue investing in F35, if Trump just kicks there opinion out the window.
They can use the Rafael which is better at close combat support and can be Carrier launched or the SAAB, then they can Choose either the Eurofighter or the Rafael as Fighters both are fairly stealthy without extra fuel pods it’s the Pods which ruin F35 stealth and it’s short loitering time without them.
Mrs Merkel got here a year ago, when she said if Trump wants us to buy more weaponry they we will build it, if he’s pulling out of NATO.
This means there will be Zero so called or reluctant allies for any more Middle East adventures.
The Germans are very impressed by the Russian fighter as a competitor for F22.
The military industrial complex in both US and UK the country of my Birth will be worried.
This could end Brexit as well, the Brits will conclude they will be better served by Europe, Boris Johnston came to Fox to plead for sanity but then he always was a deluded fool.
The British people must conclude it is far better to be on good terms with the neighbours, than on Trumps coat tails he doesn’t come across as trustworthy, a bully at best or anything other than the most obnoxious racist.
His Hatred of Obama policy must be rooted in Racism untrustworthy, at best
4
Trump is playing the mullahs like a yo-yo, the way they treated Obama and the Europeans. They don’t like their impotence and phony treaty being called out, so they’re having a hissy fit and burning an itty-bitty American flag. Reality TV celebrity 1, Mullahs 0.
3
The U.S. is leading rather than going along with peer pressure to support a ridiculous agreement that has no teeth. Like the U.N., Europe has no ability to enforce anything. Any compliance by Iran is wishful thinking. These eckless European countries that are pacifists and appeaser are doing the same thing as they did in 1936 when Hilter re-militarized the Rhineland. NOTHING! So since you can't lead effectively either follow or get out of the way!
2
Well we certainly have a fantastic track record of wisely choosing our military interventions, thus showing those weak Europeans! Vietnam demonstrated our firm resolve. Afghanistan and Iraq were great successes and things there only get better. I await with bated breath the fabulous and well thought-through battles that trump is working toward. However, speaking of strength, does anyone anymore recall how Saint Reagan pulled out of the Mideast after one attack, as well as sent the Ayatollah a birthday cake? I wonder at your sense of history. 1936 is approaching a century ago.
11
No. Europe isn’t humiliated. Europe is free to do what it sees in its own best self interest. It is the American people who are humiliated by Trump.
14
This is a wonderful opportunity for Europe to lead. Good luck.
8
The European countries should consider pulling out of Afghanistan and claim that they are not willing to prop up a "rotten" regime there. And in general they should ignore the US administration as much as possible. There is nothing to be gained by engaging much with Washington these days. And if Trump then threatens to pull out of NATO, so be it. The post-war order is finished with Donald Trump. France and the UK have a nuclear deterrent. Putin will understand that.
2
I recently had a toothache for a solid week before it was finally diagnosed and corrected. Every day I woke up with the same throbbing pain, and I approached every sleepless night with dread.
It occurred to me that we are now into our sixteenth month of a debilitating national toothache, thanks to the hideous abscess in the White House. Trump's ignorance, his disdain for alliances, his idiotic daily utterances are all like a foul, worsening infection. And no amount of ibuprofen can completely dull the misery that this bloated blowhard causes.
Whatever the political equivalent of a root canal is, we need to do it soon-- while there's still a chance to save the tooth, the body, the human race.
10
love your analogy!!! it‘s so accurate.
Europeans need to accept reality and start moving toward protecting their own interests--without Trump.
Trump degrades and destroys everything he touches. America is in trouble until Trump and his cult can be vanquished; Europeans should not wait.
9
I wonder if China is going to try to step up and take our place...at least they seem to be a more stable partner than the US at this point.
4
The essence of the discussion can, I believe, be summarized as follows: The United States owns and operates Europe and Israel owns and operates the United States. Any questions?
4
Who owns most of your Pharma and Chemical companies, who has the largest Trading surplus with your country and which ethnic group is the Largest in Your country and Trump is one.
Large doesn't mean effective. Bibi put the bug into Trump's ear about Iran. Just like he talked Bush into going into war with Iraq. Worked out well for the US.
Bibi wants his enemies destroyed and is using the US lives and money to do so.
Europeans are accustomed to humiliation. They'll get over it.
1
Europe should feel contempt rather than humiliation regarding our Putin wannabe. The majority of Americans who voted in the last election certainly do.
6
It really bothers me that a bunch of dictatorial, ultra right wing, religiously prejudiced mullahs, are more honorable than the President of the United States.
But that is exactly the situation here. Iran poured concrete into their plutonium breeder reactor, has allowed inspections, and has otherwise kept its word.
But the leader of the "most moral nation on earth" has gone back on the solemn promises of this country. One more reason for Trump voters to be ashamed of their choice.
12
We can't let Trump bully Europe. I hope that some economic sanctions will follow soon. As Angela Merkel said we have to figure it out on our own, without Americans.
2
Europeans should carry on without the United States. Although Trump is the president, he will not be the president forever. Presidents change (ours hopefully soon) but Europe needs to strengthen their hand and stand up to Trump's bullying, or any other US leader with a similar world view. For better or worse, I suspect the days may be numbered for the US as the dominant superpower. China seems poised to take that position. So a stronger Europe seems like something that will take on increased importance now, during the time of Trump, and in the future.
8
As an Australian with a keen interest in world affairs I cannot fathom how low US global stature will inevitably end up under Trump.
US politics has been transformed into some dystopian reality TV show with a cast of characters that Hollywood would have trouble inventing.
Only a broken/inept/corrupt political system could have thrown up Trump as POTUS. The US 2 party system is broken, dysfunctional and needing major fixing. Much like 2 party systems in many countries - trapped in a polarised gridlock.
Fox News is a significant symptom of what ails your country. Facebook/fakenews another direct threat to democracy. So much heat and so little light being generated. The media needs fixing along with the broken political process.
As an Australian I must apologise for our part in your nations downfall. Exporting Murdoch Media to your country hasn't fixed our political landscape and it has certainly made a bigger mess of yours.
16
As far as I can tell, Trump has no friends. Aside from family, there are those who are out to get him (enemies), and those you he can get over on (victims). He is making the United States into his own image.
It is rather hopeless that tens of millions of Americans cannot recognize what a warped and wretched human being he is.
8
Theresa May should rescind the already truncated invitation for Trump to visit the UK. It's the only kind of retaliatory action he may actually "get": public humiliation on an international level. Why should US taxpayers pay for the trip and why should our good friends in the UK have to host him? Better use of our time and money to pull the invite, please!
7
May and her government are conservatives who froth at the mouth when you mention the word “immigrant”. Not as hardcore as the GOP, but similar ideals, themes and motivations. To some of them, Brexit is more about strengthening US links at the expense of those with Europe, though I don’t think they expected an “America First” president. Despite the government being on shaky foundations, cancelling the trip would simply not have occurred to any of them - a lot of the Tory’s live and breathe “the special relationship” even if they secretly know such a relationship has always been transactional and set aside when convenient.
They’ve had to amend the visit itself to sneaking him in for a “working dinner” rather than the full state visit because the majority public aren’t impressed with the child-like Trump, but the visit will still happen - the Tories would not dream of cancelling it. I have an inkling they may end up in Scotland, for a quick handshake with the Queen at Balmoral and for Trump to spend time at ‘home’, ie on the Trump golf course up there.
Every good parent teaches their children that it is better to get a bloody nose than to back down to a bully. It's time for Europe and the rest of the world to learn this lesson.
2
Europe isn't "struggling" to defend its interests. The EU economy is larger than that of the US.
Europe, just as they did with the Paris Climate accord, will forge ahead without the US. (And just as the Asian countries did with the TPP.) The ignorant and incompetent tRump has relegated the US to a spectator. The humiliation is ours.
5
This shall pass too. Iran and our European friends need not do anything differently. Election 2018 and 2020, can change things. Trump is not going to be president forever.
19
As an American living in Europe, I can tell you that Europeans aren't humiliated by Trump. Americans are.
95
True, there are few people who are as prominent in political cartoons and caricatures in Germany as Mr. Trump- we can laugh at everything about him, from his hairstyle to his general attitude. But that doesn't change that our leaders are constantly trying and failing to negotiate with the US government. So it is America first and Europe somewhere in the top 20. Where this will lead to- "We will all find out".
3
Agree!
5
The only humiliation here was signing the agreement to begin. "Go along to get along" is no easy to live.
4
As European we have to accept the fact that today the US is an illoyal and unpredictable ally. The US spys at our governments and companies as they see us as legitime prey and sometimes when it pleases the US they cooperate - up to the unforeseeable moment when the US government prefers an authoritarian strongmen, such as Putin.
The only way to push the Washington bully is strengthen European cooperation, create a coalition of the willing and help political alternatives to stop a second mandate for Trump. Like AIPAC does.
Trump has learned politics as a real estate pusher: bullying, buying, menacing, short-term profit maximizing, allies do not exist.
Is this the way the US has to be treated to become reasonable again?
28
I am sorry to say you are right.
2
Anyone who thinks Trump has made this decision entirely on his own is out of their mind. He doesn't know much about anything. He just listens to his advisors and does what he's told to do.
He is a meat puppet for the 1%.
13
The EU should isolate the Trump regime and place sanctions on it. He is not to be trusted. Wait for a better president in 7 years.
14
More like seven months.
3
Trump will succeed in installing a military regime in Iran to battle with the Saudis and Israel. The lights will go out. Refugees will sink the EU.
2
Is he shareholder of weapon-industry firms?
2
Our European allies have no reason to feel humiliated. The US on the other hand has every reason to be extremely embarrassed for its actions over the last 18 months. This will end soon and the world can get back to business. Pedal on the metal Bob Mueller!
16
He humiliates himself and the rest of the US, not our allies (if it makes sense to call them that anymore).
4
It's not that Trump/America is not leading. It's just that he's leading where the Europeans don't wish to follow. And a leader without followers is no leader. Someone step up, please!
6
This is so nuts. We have a "president" who's bent upon destruction. There's no win here for the US, for the values upon which we base our democracy.
Thank you deplorables.
My parents and all the other people who fought so hard to safeguard democracy, Enlightenment ideals, human and civil rights and progress are just rolling in their graves.
This isn't meant as any kind of insult to China or Russia or any other civilization but there is a deep history here, and shared values, that are being thrown under the bus for no purpose that I can see other than a) to appease Putin b) to get TV ratings c) to destroy Obama's accomplishments d) to make some money e) to get attention.
Am I wrong?
24
No you are not wrong.
1
Gina Haspel was asked if she would put morality above her obligation to follow "the law." We don't have to ask President Trump that question. He follows neither.
6
So wait, let's get this straight. The white nationalists' president, Mr. Trump, has turned his back on our white, European allies, and our white historical homeland. This is making 'merika great again in so many ways.
6
So, in a twisted way, you're good with what he's doing.
I don't see how Trump's abandonment of his European allies translates to humiliation. It would seem as if, over time, his policy of American nationalism is more likely to make the US irrelevant in terms of global influence.
7
You have cited Nathalie Tocci with the words " Mr. Trump “is not interested in keeping a nuclear nonproliferation agreement but in regime change in Iran — it’s as simple as that.”
It is obvious that Mr.Trumps is not interested in anything but .................. to destroy the legacy of the 44th president.
- it is as simple as that.
While having been in Utah in 2008 me and my daughter discussed the Pro and the Cons of the Affordable Care Act with the ladies from hotel housekeeping in the night - we had hope for all the millions of uninsured patients.
Today we dont feel hope for 45th president in the world, he is dangerous.
8
If the European allies are not awakened to the menace in the White House now, let us hope they wake up soon, because America needs them to help wake it up. The US has assisted Europe many times in the past, now it needs Europe to help rescue it from its own mass ignorance and myopia. President Trump did not come from overseas; he is a home grown product of our decrepit and broken two party duopoly, aided and abetted by a weakened press, dumbed-down by addictive and wasteful social media.
10
The United States ultimately needs Europe as much as they need the United States. So, the Europeans have lots of cards to play to frustrate Trump’s efforts to engage Iran in the Middle East.
They could begin to confront Russia’s Putin on their borders and in the Ukraine. They could make things very uncomfortable and expensive for Putin in those areas. And by sending a message to Putin, they will get Trump’s attention.
The Europeans should also advise the United States and Israel, NOW, that the European Union will not support war or regime change with Iran. They have a lot of cards to play in frustrating U.S. war planning by denying transit routes necessary to make war with Iran. In short, the U.S. might find it challenging if all their war supplies have to be flown through Diego Garcia.
The Europeans have left the United States alone as it has made a mess of the Middle East. And what do the Europeans get except for ISIS wannabes and a flood of refugees? They would be better off if they demonstrated a little backbone and call the U.S. out on it’s war plans for Iran.
14
Good grief, what a headline!
Anyone who feels humiliated by the Child in the White House needs some time for introspection.
Would you be humiliated by a 3 year old bully?
The American people should be not humiliated but aghast at whom we have elected--a charlatan demagogue clown conman!
We must deserve it.
18
He wasn’t elected. He gamed the electoral system after poisoning the electorate with his vitriol. And he solicited immense help from a foreign government. He stole the election. He’s always been a cheat.
2
Maybe Karma for Spanish American War, involvement in regime change in Iran, Chile, Iraq... There is so much American history we are not exposed to without digging a bit.
Remember 9/11? Who, what, when, where, why and how. Ooooops. We never asked why unless we were prepared to say, They hate democracy. Duh.
2
I can't imagine that the allies feel humiliated about this in the least. They know they are dealing with a moron and it's no shame on you if you can't get a moron to act like an intelligent person. The humiliated party here is the United States. I think the entire world feels that way and is embarrassed for the U.S.
24
The leaders in Europe should put the U.S. in a "time-out", like that given children who don't behave. Just until 2020, hopefully, when we come to our senses and elect a president who will work to restore our place in the world of diplomacy and our leadership in the world of democratic ideals.
During this time, Europe should just assume the U.S. is irrelevant, that our opinion doesn't matter and our word cannot be trusted, because that's where we are. Those of us in the U.S. who understand the larger world will applaud and support all actions taken by European leaders to maintain peace, hold Iran accountable on the nuclear deal, and so on. But we will be back.
10
There's a lot going on these days that's very dispiriting, and the bromance between Macron and Trump is certainly one of them. There should be no appearance of personal or political friendship between these two men. Why? Because Trump doesn't have friends, only toadys and bootlickers. Macron's putting himself in essentially the same category as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnel just means there's nobody left who will stand up for decency.
4
Hey Europe, please don't indulge in self-pity. What you are going through ain't no humiliation.
Imagine the humiliation and frustration that we Americans who have some brains and double digit IQ and EQ that DIDN'T vote for Trump deal with on a daily basis. It's kind of living with the joker of "The Dark Knight" as President in the White House.
Together we will get through this. The Trump nightmare will be over one day and he'll earn his well-deserved place in the garbage bin of history. And then we can re-build whatever he is destroying.
21
Europe "humiliated"?
More like Europe (and Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, etc) stabbed in the back by an utterly faithless charlatan without an ethical bone in his body!
And also an utterly corrupt "Manchurian Candidate" bought and paid for by Russia, the Saudis, and right-wing extremists (Adelson) claiming to be tied to Israel.
Arrogant, inept, corrupt, dishonest, and egomaniacal... now that's a fatal cocktail!
62
I like that pic of Trump. Looks like he's belting out a ballad. "My Way" perhaps?
Mistakes, I've made a few,
Their number is, too great to mention,
I did what I had to do,
And saw it through without perception
I planned each charted course,
Each foolish step along the byway,
And more than this, I loused it up,
When I did it my.... way!
Good luck with trying in vain to avoid a public relations disaster on the streets of London on Friday the 13th when you visit in July Donald.
9
Driving a wedge between long-time Western Allies... I wonder who possibly stands to benefit from that?
18
Let's see. The list starts with Putin, more Putin, Israel, then China, then more Putin, Israel and China.
And if Iran sticks to the agreement, Iran gets trade with Europe and they get oil from Iran which they need.
A win win for the rest of the world. The US, not so good.
The "Make Europe Great Again!" hats are likely already being printed as we speak. Nationalism breeds nationalism.
2
Trump has a superiority complex, just the type to start wars. Respect for others is weakness. Not controlling others makes him angry. He must call the shots, demand compliance.
This is the classic authoritarian mind set, and now it wields power in what was a role model of constitutional democracy.
They said it couldn't happen here?
And he convinces his voters to love it, and his media supporters on GOP state run media, Fox News, etc, to rationalize it. They pretend this is a democracy with a free press.
18
The only thing Europe needs to do is stop struggling to defend their interests.
They are starting to do that -in Nov 2017 a defense pact was signed by 23 EU nations, it will replace NATO as far as the interests of these nations are concerned.
Regarding Iran treaty, the German online news reports "Trumps withdrawal is a breach of contract"
...code for "the interests of German companies will be defended."
Probably the Trump era will be remembered for his trade wars and political fresh air.
83
"Political fresh air"?! You mean political corruption!
37
The stench coming from the WH is hardly fresh air, but I see your point.
24
By fresh air, do you mean by Pruitt standards?
40
Not sure the Europeans get it--the new dance partner, so to speak, is China.
Europe with its aging population, socialist bent, and lagging economic outlook, e.g., southern members, is now third in line, behind Korea and Japan.
Before anything can really happen, Europeans have to figure out who they are--one, or many--before Trump will take them seriously.
In the meantime, they need to keep sending in those Nato checks--hopefully, they don't bounce, returned with insufficient funds.
2
‘Socialist bent’? I’m starting to think ‘socialist’ is Fox News code for ‘modern affluent countries able to provide affordable high quality healthcare and education efficiently’, etc.
10
"Socialist bent"?! Providing universal healthcare, is socialist?! I say, it's humane! And by the way....do some research and you will find that those so-called-socialist countries have a robust economy!
3
Not up on your British et al. history post-WWII? Don't watch Fox, but seems you do, so I'll have to yield to your "Fox News code" analysis. No time for it with all the other slick Sovietized New York City broadcast-media propaganda to enjoy. But prefer reading NYT/WSJ to any and all.
I wonder where senior adviser Ms Tocci takes the liberty to speak for all of Europe? Some of us do do value the transatlantic relationship.
The most practical thing to do would be to focus on a new deal.
The context for other countries' assessments , friend or foe, European or Asian, is not to make irreversible changes in their US relationships until after both the 2018 midterm elections occur and some more definitive sense emerges about how the federal investigations of Trump World are going to play out. One does want not to overreact to an impermanent condition no matter how offensive it might immediately seem. For the nuclear deal this likely means that both Europe and Iran will choose to tread water until at least the end of the year, keeping the basic framework in place and exploring potential minor improvements. It is improbable that any significant moves will be made until Trump's staying power can be better ascertained.
2
The center of the world banking system will move to Europe. Another blow to the US by Trump.
26
Will the money laundering remain in the US?
6
Most likely, Trump has the best russian laundering service.
Putin's back channel message to Trump: "My hearty congratulations Donald! Now, I shall direct the destruction of all those videotapes. See you soon in Mar-A-Lago. Love, Vladimir ".
10
We don't have allies anymore.
Just as with the rest of his operation DonalD likes to have it all to himself.
Daddy never said 'I love you', did he DonalD?
18
European leaders are not" humiliated" by Trump, they are shocked and irritated by his most recent posturing . Not agreeing with a bully or someone who is ill informed on a decision is not worthy of humiliation. The Americans who elected who elected Trump should be the ones who feel humiliated.
25
It's strange because Europeans are Caucasians. So it must be that they aren't Comrades who finance one American family's empire.
4
I agree with Cynthia (below) and hope very much that our friends in Europe will muster the strength to carry on without the US for the time being. I do believe policies will begin to normalize as US elections in November and particularly in 2020 take place.
8
'The European Union has instead been preoccupied with other dangers — populism, migration, Islamophobia — and the challenge to its values of democracy and rule of law from member states like Hungary and Poland.'
President Trump is the least of Europe's problems. The EU should be more focused on the migration crisis, which has not at all gone away, and terrorism, which also has not at all gone away.
And what business is it of the EU if a member state wants to vote in a democratic election for a populist candidate? The EU should stop meddling in sovereign countries affairs, such as Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia. The democratically elected governments of these countries pose no challenge to EU democracy and rule of law! They simply voted in conservative governments! They voted in the counter of open-borders Angela Merkel - that is their democratic right! Will the EU only support liberal leaders?!!
5
Since Europe is taking in so many refugees, can I get on a plane now and claim refugee status?
This government does not represent my values and it does not represent the best of our tradition. The Republicans control everything from city hall to the White House in much of this country and the Evangelicals & Orthodox Catholics seem to be willfully blind to the path this cabal has placed our nation on.
The America I was raised in was a nation that taught assimilation and the melting pot of a people who were equal- the Civil Rights, Women's Rights and Gay Rights Moments all hit critical mass during my lifetime. Since the 1980 election cycle, America seems to be on a retrograde course where the environmental, social, economic and judicial progress has all been rolled back or outright abandoned in a headlong rush for the lie that we can all be rich if we just try hard enough.
It also seems to have become a meaner and harsher country where children born disadvantaged are condemned to second rate schools, housing, diet, healthcare and opportunity. Further, the GOP under Paul Ryan & Company would like nothing better than to cut Grandma off of Social Security and Conventional Medicare in exchange for a voucher and the advice that you are on your own.
The feckless and hapless Democrats have let the Republicans steal a Presidency (Bush V Gore) and a Supreme Court (Neil Gorsuch) seat in plain sight and seem ok with it. Watch as they confirm the torturer Gina Haspel to run CIA.
20
Here's a thought.
Don't bother to attempt to save the relationship with America.
Move on-
Trump needs to NOT be catered to and indulged.
His objective is not the objective of the world- let him suffer the repercussions of his stupidity.
And if it impacts this country - we deserve it for letting him run amuck over the world.
23
Well said. When the USA is a small dot in the rearview mirror of the rest of the world...we will have no one to blame but ourselves.
3
"European leaders cajole, argue and beg, trying to persuade Trump to change his mind .....Trump appears to enjoy the show, dangling them, before ultimately choosing not to listen....
Instead, he demands compliance."
He makes powerful world leaders and their staffs work overtime figuring what to do next.
This is what Trump supporters love--- his calling the shots, demanding compliance, asserting control. It makes them feel superior----that's the whole psychology of Trump voters and media supporters.
Bret Stephens NYT columnist calls it 'courageous'.
14
Bret Stephens. The NYT has Bret to represent the "other" view. While I think Bret is tragically off base, I think he is intelligent and makes some good points. I also think it is good to read Bret to try to get a grip on the insanity that seems to encompass Trump's supporters and Trump himself. As with every opposing view, there has to be, usually, some merit to it. Bret tends to find it.