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Trump claims victory after forcing NATO crisis talks

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By Jeff Mason, William James and Robin Emmott

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55 Comments
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Hold the line!

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

The T clowns having such a hard one today that they might faint with all the blood leaving the brains.

Live on CNN: Trump visiting the 'embattled PM' Theresa May in London. ' They love me here'.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Based on Trump the Chump's threats to his close allies he will no doubt invite Putin to Washington for a state visit in the near future.

Reverse diplomacy is now a thing.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Hold the line!

No! Trump is lying, and is being laughed at by the Europeans just like Mexico is laughing at Trump for sticking the US taxpayers for the 100B$ wall. Proof:

French President Emmanuel Macron has denied reports that U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to withdraw the United States from the NATO military alliance in a dispute over funding.

(news source)

Trump is weak. NATO has not moved an inch, just like Mexico hasn't moved an inch to pay for the wall. Trump is scamming his followers. They believe everything he says like this thing with NATO and Mexico paying for the wall.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

"Trump had shocked many present and broke with diplomatic protocol"

About time!

Oh my...

 The US taxpayer is no longer Europe's ATM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC1SLhKi0qk

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

The US taxpayer is no longer Europe's ATM

How have they been Europe's ATM, exactly?

About time!

And like last time he is being laughed at because he has failed. Like the wall, no Hillary arrest, and no Muslim ban. Health insurance is going up under Trump too. And look at the American record deficit. All of Trump's failures (except for me 401Ks - those are doing well). I'm richer. Go trump (but no wall or NATO push...also, no Hillary arrest)

8 ( +9 / -1 )

He looked down on everyone else, that’s the real funny part.

The only thing he did was entertain his followers. Other countries didn't move an inch, just like Mexico paying for the wall. Fine, he can look down. But what did he really accomplish? Nothing. Just like the wall or Muslim ban. Or Hillary arrest. But my 401K is cooking. How is yours? But if it stops cooking then it's President "Crooked" Hillary's fault.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

in Argentina

I meant Venezuela. Sorry, but Trump hates all those countries down there anyway. He sees anything not the US as a bunch of parasites that are Europe's ATM

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Trump has spread many fake news over NATO which is swallowed by his supporters and regurgitated.

I think it’s more of the opposite actually.

-11 ( +2 / -13 )

I think it’s more of the opposite actually.

What did Trump accomplish, exactly? Other than acting like the orange clown that he is with a dead ferret on his head? How much more is the EU going to spend on their share in NATO costs. Please give a real number. No real number = failure like Trumps wall or his Muslim ban.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

For many Republicans, the idea of having an African American in the White House for the last 8 years years was so detestable, the idea of having to contribute to others' healthcare (like is done here in Japan and in most other developed countries) was so agonizing, the idea of women and minorities having equal rights (not found in Japan) was so unthinkable, that they were willing to let any con man become President, no matter what the cost. Well, Trump was elected, and even worse than anyone could have imagined, he has gone way below the moral low ground, and keeps defining new lows.

Some notable conservatives have spoken out. Much respect for that.

Some conservatives have remained silent. Sad.

Some conservatives have defended Trump because, even though they know he's a con man, they want a conservative in the White House at all cost. Truly sad.

And then there are those that defend Trump because they actually believe in his message of hate. It resonates with them because deep inside they truly feel the same anger towards immigrants, women, the LGBT community, and other minorities. That is the most frightening part of it all.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Every day I think Trump is at the peak of awesomeness but he just keeps climbing to new heights and being a badass. Love this president!

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

President Trump dressing down Merkel was my favorite part of the NATO summit.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

French President Emmanuel Macron quickly disputed Trump's claim that NATO allies have agreed to boost defense spending beyond 2 percent of gross domestic product.

Trump relies on ignorance. Marching into Europe spouting belligerent chest-thumping trash is enough for his supporters. No need to fact check anything.

It’s all about the pose.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

So what was the result? More spending? How much?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

The damage Trump is doing to our allies in service of his Russian puppet-masters is mind-blowing.

Does anyone even remember when the Defense Department was last audited? A conservative estimate of ten percent of the Defense Department budget would hardly be noticed when measuring our force effectiveness. The arms industry could redirect its resources to public mass transportation and infrastructure improvement, working to make our country great and also reducing the National debt.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

So what was the result? More spending? How much?

Go back and check my answer, thank you.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

If only trump had gone to war in Vietnam he’d have won that too.

What a moron.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

"The damage Trump is doing to our allies in service of his Russian puppet-masters is mind-blowing."

No, but the good Trump is doing in service to the American people is fantastic.

Trump at NATO: Tremendous progress has been made

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar-8HqXqh8g

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Reality check: there was no victory. Trump was ignored. The NATO countries will make no changes in their payments. They will just wait for his administration to be gone, and there is nothing Trump can do about it. He is powerless, and no one trusts him.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

So another Trump victory, just like the Singapore Summit with Kim? With this President I don't know where this "fake news" is coming from, the media or his mouth?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Germany, the economic powerhouse of Europe will finally pay more and thank God for that. until Trump puts tariffs on German cars, then they wont. LOL

3 ( +4 / -1 )

NATO was designed to stop European countries from waring with each other, But now they are one country EU. So does this make NATO obsolete ?

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Well unless Trump hot something from them, this was all theatre

3 ( +4 / -1 )

"I'm responsible for making all those people clean up this room", says the man who pooped all over the room.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

NATO was designed to stop European countries from waring with each other, But now they are one country EU. So does this make NATO obsolete ?

No. It doesn't. And, NATO was not formed for that reason (that's the United Nations). It was formed to defend Western Europe from Russia (USSR). So, it seems as necessary as ever.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

@darren

NATO was designed to stop European countries from waring with each other, But now they are one country EU. So does this make NATO obsolete ?

That is not what NATO was created for. It was created for defending European allies from the Soviet Union. Right now, it seems like it's probably a good idea to keep it around.

https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/nato

*'The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was created in 1949 by the United States, Canada, and several Western European nations *to provide collective security against the Soviet Union.'

4 ( +4 / -0 )

*Germany, the economic powerhouse of Europe will finally pay more and thank God for that. **until Trump puts tariffs on German cars, then they wont. LOL*

As long as people buy Beemers and Benz, they’ll do just fine.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

the posting of the GDP % figures for what the NATO countries are currently spending on their national defense budgets does not not show anything of any real value.

Sorry, but the recent, most recent numbers out besides the UK paying 2% of their GDP on defense: Germany-1.24% France-1.81% Italy-1.15% Spain-0.93%

But at least for Germany, they’ll finally pay their fair share.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

President Trump dressing down Merkel was my favorite part of the NATO summit.

But there was no effect or change on her part, no achievement. He's just ignored like a juvenile thug rebelling with mama.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

How come the world 4th largest economy Germany has contributed only 1.19% while nearly bankrupt nation Greece has contributed 2.38%?

Obviously, German Government was failing to contribute its fair share for many years. You may hate the US President Trump, but you must accept the truth. You must look at the reality what the German Government was doing with NATO budget. The German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the loudest voice in the EU, which calling for NATO to speed up and fence off Russian expending to its neighbor countries, but the wealthiest NATO member German Government is the least contribution member state in NATO.

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel Government is the leader of the EU and unofficial policy maker of the EU. The world 4th largest economy German Government should contribute to NATO more than Greece. NATO is actually defending EU from Russian expending. The United State is not directly benefiting from NATO.

If you think the US President was wrong and then you must be Trump haters. You can not see the truth because of you hate Trump.

The wealthy Country likes German and French will ignore to the United State calling them for contributing their fair share to NATO if the President Trump did not talk to them loudly and openly. It was the last resort.

 

The EU President Donald Tusk delivered a strongly worded statement directed at President Donald Trump amid his ongoing criticism of NATO: **“Appreciate your allies. After all, you don’t have that many.”” . The US President should reply by **“why should the United State defend EU from the Russia if the US did not have friends in the Europe”. The European leaders easily forget about history. The United State had saved Europe from German Nazi. Now the EU President said the United State you don’t have friends in Europe. 

They have labeled the President Trump as undiplomatic and rude. However, you have to be undiplomatic and rude person when you have to deal with ignorant peoples like Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron. Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron want to seem them as Ms. Nice and Mr. Nice in public eyes, but in reality, they are not.

It does not matter if you like Trump or not, but you must accept the truth. The truth is the German Government does not contribute its fair share to NATO. The Europe wealthiest country should pay more than any other European NATO member states.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The drama queen did it again ... until he implodes.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

"The damage Trump is doing to our allies in service of his Russian puppet-masters is mind-blowing."

Exactly what damage is Trump doing to our allies? Is asking them to meet the commitments they all agreed to in 2014 somehow damaging? And with Russia supplying around 70% of Germany's energy needs, it really raises the question of who the real puppets are.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I have to agree, publicly criticizing a deal with Russia is not very puppet-like.

Or is that what they want you to think?? (sarcasm)

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

extanker, it's pretty simple, and one answered I think other times on here.

The biggest 'win' for Russia in all of this is if the USA becomes isolated and NATO, the military force standing in Russia's way of extending it's sphere of influence, is destroyed or neutered.

A short term loss of a pipeline is a small sacrifice to make when compared to the larger target. In terms of chess, it's sacrificing a pawn to claim a bishop or even a queen.

When Putin isn't facing any political threat, and his biggest rival (The USA) is continuing to lose influence and respect on the world stage, a single pipeline to Germany means absolutely nothing.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@David Varnes

Well when you say it like that... (no seriously, that's a great explanation without all the left vs right anger. Thanks.)

But to be honest, I don't believe he is a 'puppet' of Putin. I believe Trump honestly thinks his intentions are in the best interest of the US, and for parts of it at least, I actually agree (I just wish he was a lot better at conveying the message).

Russia might just be able to take advantage of the fact that he's pissing his allies off by calling them out on stuff they've been allowed to get away with for a long time. Is he playing into Putin's hands? Maybe. I don't know. But I don't think puppet is an accurate term. I don't think anyone is pulling his strings, but maybe his playbook just happens to align with the Russians'.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

That's perhaps the biggest thing that's scary about Trump, extanker. It's that his world view and playbook might just happen to so easily align with Russia's.

Face it, the Russians and the Soviet Union before them were very, very good at playing the manipulation game, whether on a small or big scale. They knew how to make whole countries believe some of the most outlandish propaganda, and turn individual citizens against their country.

In this case, it's not that hard. I believe that Trump is, first and foremost, an authoritarian. Now, if you're a mythical Bruce Wayne with a genius level intellect and a fanatical devotion to the wellbeing of others, then that's maybe not a bad thing.

When you're Donald Trump, with a 40 year history of being an egomaniacal insecure person, manipulation is easy. On one hand, you coddle him with fawning praise, and give him easy to reach 'targets' that are empty but allow him to think that he's carving some form of immortality for himself.

You trust in his absolute belief in his 'instincts' and his 'street smarts' while knowing that such people are often the most easily led astray in the complex, multilayered actions of international diplomacy. You feed him enough 'bad guys' that he can rail against and rally his supporters against that his focus will never turn towards you and your own actions.

Most of all though, you project a strong but still accepting image to him face to face, knowing that as an inherently weak man raised with an authoritarian bent, he'll immediately kowtow to anyone who projects an image of 'rugged individualism' or however you want to term it. You know you can dominate him with a little bit of flattery and a lot of cowboy toughness, and promise him nothing or even not do what you said, and he'll not say anything. Why? Because in his haste and eagerness to try and declare 'victory' for himself and his self-image, he can never, ever accept the fact that he's wrong. He can never accept the fact he's been duped and taken advantage of.

So maybe Trump isn't a knowing puppet of Putin. But I bet that more than a few of the strings yanking Donnie in various directions are connected to the Kremlin, even if he doesn't know the strings even exist.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

David Varnes

Thanks for taking the time to write that up and remaining civil at the same time. It's rare when we're talking politics.

While I don't agree with all of it 100%, it is something to really think about.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

You're welcome.

Now.... Go Army, Beat Navy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

David Varnes

That is some of the most level headed assessement of the man I have read anywhere.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

How come the world 4th largest economy Germany has contributed only 1.19% while nearly bankrupt nation Greece has contributed 2.38%?

Do you think that Greece is paying those 2.38%? :)

Any clue what happened since Greece went nearly bankrupt?

The German Chancellor Angela Merkel Government is the leader of the EU

The 'German Chancellor Angela Merkel Government' better known as the German gov or Germany has a lot of influence but is no sole 'leader' of the EU

If you think the US President was wrong and then you must be Trump haters. You can not see the truth because of you hate Trump.

Pretty dumb :)

Now the EU President said the United State you don’t have friends in Europe. 

The United States has never been a friend but an ally at most and with 'Appreciate your allies. After all, you don’t have that many.' Tusk didn't say that the Trump administration

has no friends in Europe but 'not that many' worldwide :)

It does not matter if you like Trump or not, but you must accept the truth. 

Which truth? And who tells 'us' to accept this so-called truth? :)

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The truth is that all that money the US spends is feeding the military industrial complex while it lacks money for anything else that is important, namely infrastructure, education, etc, etc. The US military dwarfs already anybody else's in spending and firepower. http://armedforces.eu/compare/country_USA_vs_China. The US is also by far the largest military weapons exporter, again feeding the military industrial complex, and this is the real motivation of this bully salesman. http://www.worldstopexports.com/military-weapons-exporters/

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The truth is that all that money the US spends is feeding the military industrial complex while it lacks money for anything else that is important, namely infrastructure, education, etc, etc. The US military dwarfs already anybody else's in spending and firepower.

Absolutely. And by urging the allies in Europe to spend more on defence and bashing Japan on trade issues the T administration hopes for more orders in favor of the US military industrial complex.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Darren - NATO was designed to stop European countries from waring with each other, But now they are one country EU. So does this make NATO obsolete ?

NATO was created to prevent the Russians/Soviets/USSR from invading these same European countries that have been failing to pay their fair share of NATO's expenses.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

David Varnes: "he can never, ever accept the fact that he's wrong."

Wrong. Trump admitted he was wrong when he engaged in that locker room chat about grabbing the heh-heh. Still got tens of millions of women to vote for him.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Trump says he apologized to Theresa May for interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmOlShEZK8I

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

@zichi

how much of its national defense budget does America actually spend on maintaining its troops and bases in Europe. How many are here America bases and troops? That is the combined defense spending of the European NATO countries? How many troops do those European NATO countries provide.

To say the America nation defense budget of about 3.6% GDP is all spent on NATO is total dishonesty. 80% of that budget is actually spent domestically.

Where do you think the troops and equipment to fight a sustained war in Europe would come from? Maintaining troops and equipment actually based in Europe is only a small part of the full strategy to defend it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

zichi - To say the America nation defense budget of about 3.6% GDP is all spent on NATO is total dishonesty. 80% of that budget is actually spent domestically.

You seem to be confused. Were you addressing your post to me?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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