At NATO, Trump lashes out at allies and then asks them to double their defense spending goals
Source: The Washington Post
By Michael Birnbaum and Seung Min Kim
July 11 at 3:59 PM
BRUSSELS President Trump ripped into NATO allies on Wednesday, slamming Germany for its dependence on Russian energy and demanding that nations double their military spending commitments.
European diplomats have been worried about continued U.S. support for NATO. But even as Trump hit allies, he also signed on to efforts to strengthen the alliance against the Kremlin and other rivals, as well as a statement that the alliance does not accept Russias 2014 annexation of Crimea.
On spending, Trump insisted in a closed-door meeting of NATO leaders that the alliance increase its defense targets to 4 percent of each countrys gross domestic product more than what the United States channels toward its military. It was not clear whether he was serious about a new standard or whether he was using the number as a negotiating tactic to edge overall spending higher and get European nations to pay more.
The push came hours after Trump smashed Germany for being captive to Russia because it imports much of its natural gas from Russia. That tirade, over breakfast with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, was rare in its bitterness.
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-says-germanyis-captive-to-russia-in-fiery-opening-salvo-against-nato/2018/07/11/56aa7174-7f0a-11e8-a63f-7b5d2aba7ac5_story.html
sandensea
(21,595 posts)"Excuse my French."
Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)eating Freedom Fries? Or are they all over that now?
sandensea
(21,595 posts)Sounds like they've decided to make the fries fracas a no-go zone.
Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)omg.
Crutchez_CuiBono
(7,725 posts)I'l quit fussing if you buy gas from us instead...a half world away.
PatSeg
(47,239 posts)the cheating spouse who starts a fight for no real reason, just to distract attention from his own infidelities.
thegoose
(3,115 posts)PoorMonger
(844 posts)Another move by a real master negotiator
turbinetree
(24,683 posts)he is not a friend...................he is fucking malignant narcissistic psychopathic liar and sexual predator.................and traitor.......................and needs to be called what he is.................a fucking traitor..............
November cannot get here fast enough.......................vote