“I don’t think it’s fair to the United States.”
Tensions were high going into this week’s NATO summit in Belgium, with European leaders fearful that American President Donald Trump will make good on his threat to withdraw US military protection for allies.
As of Wednesday morning, things haven’t gotten off to the best of starts as Trump did his utmost to instantly disrupt proceedings and flex his country’s financial muscle.
Trump’s opening salvo took aim at Germany, one of many countries that he has argued aren’t spending enough money.
Germany previously committed to spending 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on defence purposes, reflecting the same amount spent by eight of the 29 North American and European countries that make up NATO.
Responding to a query about Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russia President Vladimir Putin, the US President deflected in typically combative style.
“I have to say I think it’s very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia where you’re supposed to be guarding against Russia, and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia,” Trump began.
“So we’re protecting Germany, we’re protecting France, we’re protecting all of these countries, and then numerous of the countries go out and make a pipeline deal with Russia where they’re paying billions of dollars into the coffers of Russia.
“So, we’re supposed to protect you against Russia, but they’re paying billions of dollars to Russia, and I think that’s very inappropriate, and the former Chancellor of Germany is the head of the pipeline company that’s supplying the gas.
“Ultimately, Germany will have almost 70% of their country controlled by Russia with natural gas. So you tell me; is that appropriate? I’ve been complaining about this since from time I’ve got in.”
President Donald Trump has accused fellow NATO ally Germany of being beholden to Russia because it buys energy from Moscow, in pointed remarks ahead of a summit of the military alliance in Brussels: https://t.co/0ZJQ727U3o pic.twitter.com/pvXnhq2qb0
— CNN (@CNN) July 11, 2018
Trump went on to state that such a scenario should “never been allowed to have happened” before underlining his belief that “Germany is totally controlled by Russia”, arguing that the country is receiving between 60 and 70% of their energy from Russia and a new pipeline.
“You tell me if that’s appropriate. I think it’s not. I think it’s 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.”
Later, Trump told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Germany should have to pay more than “just over 1%” in comparison to the United States’ 4.2% to NATO.
“Germany is a rich country,” said Trump. “They talk about [how] they could increase it a tiny bit by 2030. Well, they could increase it immediately tomorrow and have no problem.
“I don’t think it’s fair to the United States,” he added.
Earlier this week, a German chancellor remarked to BBC News Europe reporter Gavin Lee that, “There seems to be a special place in hell for us right now when it comes to the US.”
Trump is scheduled to meet with Russia President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki next week.
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