Thanks to Trump, Germany says it can’t rely on the United States. What does that mean?

Washington Post ^ | May 28, 2017 | Henry Farrell

[lowbridge]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a crowd Sunday in southern Germany that Europe can no longer rely on foreign partners.

Merkel on Sunday declared a new chapter in U.S.-European relations after contentious meetings with President Trump last week, saying that Europe “really must take our fate into our own hands.”

Offering a tough review in the wake of Trump’s trip to visit E.U., NATO and Group of Seven leaders last week, Merkel told a packed Bavarian beer hall rally that the days when Europe could rely on others was “over to a certain extent. This is what I have experienced in the last few days.”

-snip

Now, Merkel is suggesting that the Americans aren’t really in, and, by extension, Germany and Europe are likely to take on a much more substantial and independent role than they have in the past 70 years.

This is thanks to Trump

Merkel’s comment about what she has experienced in the past few days is a clear reference to President Trump’s disastrous European tour. Her belief that the United States is no longer a reliable partner is a direct result of Trump’s words and actions. The keystone of NATO is Article 5, which has typically been read as a commitment that in the event that one member of the alliance is attacked, all other members will come to its aid.

-snip

However, Trump did not express his commitment to Article 5 in his speech to NATO, instead lambasting other NATO members for not spending enough money on their militaries. When Trump went on to the Group of Seven meeting in Italy, he declined to recommit to the Paris agreement on climate change, leaving the other six nations to issue a separate statement.

[rktman]

Gues they'll be taken up the slack huh? 😹

[Chgogal]

Germany can no longer dump of foreign suckers like Great Britain and the US. Instead Germany shacked up with Russia and her natural gas and oil supplies. Good luck with that Idiot Bitch Merkel. Oh, and the Band of Brothers ain't coming to your rescue. You are too stupid.

[ColdOne]

I would say yes. Obama showed up to have dinner with that judge right before he ruled on Trump EO. Was wondering what is real reason he was there.

[quadrant]

Germany better remember the cost of not relying on the US. The loss of two world wars should be a sufficient lesion.

[EDINVA]

And that’s a bad thing? Most species become independent of the mammary well before 70 years.

[vette6387]

“I don’t see where she singles out the United States or blames Trump for anything.”

Oh please! You need to remove your rose-colored glasses. She surely means Trump and the US. I guess we would be obligated under NATO to defend Europe against Russia or China, but as for the muzzies, since they are “invited guests,” we are under NO obligation to help them. I’m just glad I had to chance to see “old Europe” before it’s citizens decided to trash the whole continent. I wouldn’t go over there today for all the tea in China. They have a target-rich environment without my lily-white a$$.

[MagnoliaB]

Hahaaa....is she butt hurt because he’s pulling out of the weather scam? Good.

[onedoug]

Auf wiedersehen, icehole.

[Ouchthatonehurt]

“really must take our fate into our own hands.”

That a “leader” would say this is if it were to be a new thing is quite telling.

[dragonblustar]

Merkel’s comment about what she has experienced in the past few days is a clear reference to President Trump’s disastrous European tour

Liberal butt hurt at it's finest. Merkel allows muslims to rape and pillage their way through Europe but Trump said nasty things.

[bobcat62]

A Bavarian Beer Hall? You’d think a German Politician would know better.

[DoughtyOne]

Merkel continues to allow massive numbers of potential and actual terrorists into her nation.

From this position, she seeks to shame Trump as if her nation can’t rely on the United States any longer.

Has the United States somehow forced her to allow potential and actual terrorists into her nation?

The real story here, is that German’s cannot rely on Merkel as a sound partner any longer.

Those that do are taking a complete pass on rational objective evaluation of the current and growing terrorist threat INSIDE Germany, thanks to Merkel.

This seems too deep an analysis for the staff at the Washington Post to come up with on their own.

[Grampa Dave]

You are over 21 now, and you are on your own!

Auf Wiedersehen, Au Revoir, αντιο σας addio, Adiós, tata Old Chap!

[dfwgator]

“The future of the German Volk lies in itself alone. Only when we have succeeded in leading this German Volk onwards by means of its own work, its own industriousness, its own defiance, and its own perseverance—only then will we rise up, just as our fathers once made Germany great, not with the help of others, but on their own.”

-Adolf Hitler 1933

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[Grampa Dave]

This continues to be the best election ever for Americans!

[euram]

It’s about time that the leftist loons ruining most of Europe say that they can no longer count on the US to support their craziness. Thank you, President Trump.

[rrrod]

It’s important to remember the Germans began pulling their gold reserves out of the USA. Keep on eye open.

[tumblindice]

It means, `No more Uncle Sugar’ for the Euroweenies.

[Tennessee Conservative]

He stood up to her and didn’t grovel like Obama did.