Posted on 07/11/2018 1:44:10 AM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege
“Germany is totally controlled by Russia … They will be getting between 60 and 70 percent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline, and you tell me if that is appropriate because I think its not,” Trump said.
The U.S. president was speaking at a press conference in front of NATO representatives ahead of a two-day summit.
The Trump administration’s policies indicate it views security and trade as intimately linked. And when it comes to the trade balance, no ally will be spared.
Speaking in Brussels, Belgium on the first leg of his European trip, the U.S. president said a flurry of oil and gas deals had given Moscow far too much influence over the continent’s largest economy.
In particular, he singled out the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project as being especially "inappropriate."
“I think it is a very bad thing for NATO and I don’t think it should have happened and I think we have to talk to Germany about it. On top of that, Germany is just paying a little bit over 1 percent (on defense) … And I think that is inappropriate also,” he added. 'An attack on Germany and Russia'
Trump has long criticized Berlin and other NATO allies for “freeriding” on Washington’s defense capabilities. Currently only five of NATO’s 29 member states actually allocate the 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) to military spending that they are formally committed to as part of the alliance. Those five are the U.S., the U.K., Greece, Estonia and Poland.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnbc.com ...
Hear, hear! :-)
Germany made the decision to shut down its nuclear and coal powered energy facilities thus making them more dependent on imported energy, especially from the Russians. In contrast, France uses nuclear energy to generate 80% of its electricity.
Trump is pointing out the logical inconsistency of our allies demanding more sanctions on Russia for their seizure of Crimea and invading Ukraine while striking deals with Russia to become more dependent on Russia as the source of a strategic commodity like energy.
What is the source of your assertion that US LNG costs two to three times the price of LNG from Russia?
The US has always carried NATO’s water. I spent nearly 10 years of my over 20 years service in Germany. I saw all the many thousands of US military personnel, equipment, facilities, family quarters, ect., ect., ect. Even the West Germans did not have the troops. Not Germany, the UK, France, any of them. It was 95% us and all the rest had the 5%. I rarely saw forces from the other nations. The USA was the only dog in the hunt. The others were sitting on their butts under the trees.
The Soviet Union no longer exists.
If we quit NATO, it would matter a great deal to the Russians. Aside from the fact that NATO would be essentially dead, what happens to the effect of Article 5 of the NATO charter?
So, pick a number. In your mind 10% more is fine? 20%?
Face facts, any LNG isn't price competitive with what comes through a pipeline from Russia. Maybe the Saudis can conquer Syria and build a pipeline to Italy to be price competitive but I doubt it. So, it'll be Russia or the Stans for a long time into the future unless they find more gas in the North Sea or somewhere else close to Europe.
BS. What offensive threat does NATO pose to Russia?
As usual, the Euros are cutting their own throats:
Shale oil resources in Europe.
https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/37gjtw/map_of_european_shale_gas_basins_2014_data/
q.e.d.
Bet if there were another global conflict, NATO for the most part, would sit it out.
Heh Heh...
Is it just me or does anyone else think damage to the streets isn't the real issue for the scum running DC?
Probably their French Revolution Syndrome again. They are terrified that a single Trump-supporting Colonel with the right hardware at his command might suddenly find himself in a position to rip World Socialism out by its roots. :)
“The US has always carried NATO’s water. I spent nearly 10 years of my over 20 years service in Germany. I saw all the many thousands of US military personnel, equipment, facilities, family quarters, ect., ect., ect. Even the West Germans did not have the troops. Not Germany, the UK, France, any of them. It was 95% us and all the rest had the 5%. I rarely saw forces from the other nations. The USA was the only dog in the hunt. The others were sitting on their butts under the trees.”
While they thumb their noses at us and declare how wonderful Germany is with FREE healthcare and FREE college and on and on how backwards America is! On OUR backs they do this!
Pretty sure nobody was prepared for this particular reality to be emphasized. Yup, Russia has an energy lock on Europe and every winter it becomes manifest in one or more policy decisions.
This is what true leadership on the global stage looks like.
And frankly, we have the technology to prove it, if you know what I mean.
EXACTLY.
Well said and President Trump totally gets it and hit the nail on the head!
You know, I would not be surprised if he was a Freeper.
Just saying! I have never seen a President so aligned and right on target with Free Republic.
Go President Trump!!!
We love you!!!
I’ve had that same thought. Either he’s a Freeper or “great minds think alike!”
Sic ‘em Donald!
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