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.

[detch]

“Disastrous European tour?”

No, disastrous Washington Post article. Fake news.

The “real” news = hey Germany and NATO, pay up, climate cash cow ain’t supported by the USA.

Troubles in Europe = high unemployment in France, Germany lost control of its borders, Italy pays 1% of GDP for defense and is in as much trouble with the economy as Spain and Greece.

Coming soon — pay up for the UN or get out of the USA.

Hey Mr. President, ignore the MSM and just tweet posts from Gingrich, Rush, Laura, Jeanine, other conservative links...

[boycott]

Thank you, President Trump. About time someone stood up for the American people.

[raybbr]

When was the last time the U.S. could depend on German?

[Uncle Sam 911]

Europe depending on itself has not been a good situation in the past. Bavaria being the most conservative part of Germany may not like Merkel’s message.

[so_real]

Means progress is being made to me. Merkel has been a disaster for Germany. Her not being able to count on Trump is not only a "good" thing, it is a "great" thing.

[jmacusa]

Das ist erst das. (roughly translated from German ‘’that's just for starters’’) Like we ever needed the Krauts for anything. I'm not worried. Muslims are killing Germans pretty much on a regular basis. And the Huns aren't doing a damn thing about it. So why should we worry that they can't ‘’rely’’ on us?

[Uncle Sam 911]

I remember those signs. They meant something then and mean something now.

[setha]

There is always Honda(Ohio) and Toyota(all over). They’re not my first preference (lack of affordable 6cyl+ cars), but they’re available, reliable, and American.

I’m thankful that my family didn’t move to Augsburg (for work) in the 1980s. Not only would it have caused issues then, we’d have dealt with today’s issues had we chosen to stay.

[crz]

Merkel ist schweinehund, kuh furz.

[grania]

Germany and the rest of the EU elite can't rely on us to fight against ethnic Germans and other ethnic Europeans when they rise against the invaders the EU overwhelmed all parts of Europe they control with.

The way WW3 is playing out, NATO is supposed to stop Russia from saving Europe. It's WW3 and until President Trump came along it looked unstoppable.

[goodnesswins]

Hey...Germany...take care of YOUR Continent

[Organic Panic]

So Europe will have to pay for their own defense?

[setha]

Even Japanese transplants like Honda or Toyota?

While they use Japanese blueprints, the cars themselves are otherwise very American.

[Bigg Red]

+1

[Sacajaweau]

What she's saying is asinine.Article 5 exists and no one contributes more to the security of Europe than the US.

Do we still have troops in Germany?? If we do....let's get them out of there.

[Slyfox]

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

Well then, quit accepting Georgie's Agenda 21 incentive deutche-moola.

[Sacajaweau]

Merkel said at her DC speech that it would be 2025 before Germany would be able to do 2% GPD.

[connyankee]

We have bases and hospitals there

[KarlInOhio]

Do we still have troops in Germany?? If we do....let's get them out of there.

If the primary adversary of NATO is Russia, then the proper place for forward bases is Poland.

If the primary adversaries of NATO are Middle Eastern Islamic terrorists then the proper place for forward bases are Italy and Greece.

There's only one country that could be the primary adversary of NATO that would require us to still have forward bases in Germany. And that country has been pretty well behaved since the occupation started in 1945.

[Steven Tyler]

Germany has not paid its NATO bills.
I wager Germany and France will welch and cheat on their Climate Change promises