And the EU is now a 'foe' of the United States. Astounding. I am sure most of my life I was taught the Americans were allies of Western Europe. Should I consider going for some weapons training? I mean, a hell of a lot of Americans seem to be visiting places near where I live. There's even a US military base not so far away.
For the record, Trump clarified that when he said 'foe' he meant 'competitor'. Which is a completely different connotation.
OK, fair enough - but what he said was to camera and was what I saw on the BBC, he hadn't retracted it for most of yesterday. In the same interview he said Russia was a 'competitor' - did he get them mixed up?
Also to give context, Trump was expressing frustration that the U.S. continues to subsidize Germany and other NATO countries with footing nearly the entire bill for their defense, whilst these same countries continue to trade and buy LNP directly from Russia and not from the U.S.
Yes, Torque - he has every right to ask NATO members to spend 2% on defence, as it's part of the NATO principles (and I cannot blame him) and it's also true that not everyone pays their dues. However, it is a separate issue to trade and the 'EU" as the EU isn't a NATO member, and NATO is far more than just the countries of the EU.
Wouldn't you too be frustrated with this unfair trade arrangement?
OK - trade: Trump said "Germany is getting 60 to 70 per cent of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline” - the reality is around 20% of
all oil and gas imported into Germany is from Russia, so the 'alternative facts' make a mockery of his assertions. I know Germany well, they know (and Merkel better than most) what it's like to be under the Russian boot. Trump accusing them of being "totally controlled" by Russia was a bit of a stretch, even by his standards of veracity. A pipeline from the USA is neither in the offing nor remotely practical and - as Germany has no oil, or gas reserves - it
must import energy. It wasn't an affront to America, just common sense.
Germany owes America a hell of a lot, the Marshall plan was incredible and is a huge part of what made Germany what it is today. Germans would never deny it, but Trump's attacks were wrong, therefore ill-judged - and have simply insulted a country that has been a totally staunch ally of the US since WWII. I am not sure how they now see the current POTUS.
Sorry - but this is how it is, I know the view from both sides of the pond is radically different as I have lived on both sides of it; I do love America the country and I have many friends there. But I am sticking to facts that I can back up, just to make sure there is a balanced view here. Not a simple writing off of 500 million people over here by one man with an (arguably) loose respect for facts.
/OT
Oooh - Bitcoin. Hell, yes!
EDIT: quoting buggered up
