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| Europe |
| Merkel: The US is no longer a reliable ally and Europe's destiny is 'in our own hands' |
| 2017-05-28 |
| "The times in which [Germany] could fully rely on others are partly over. I have experienced this in the last few days," Merkel said during the event. "We Europeans really have to take our destiny into our own hands," she said. Hahahaha! Nice hiss fit, Merkel. But I think it's falling on deaf ears because Trump had done this before. And just why do you consider our relationship to be broken? Because everyone is laughing in your face and behind your back about your failed immigration and globalization policies? Though she did not mention them by name, Merkel was most likely referring to the fractured relationship Germany now shares with the US, as well as with the UK post-Brexit. Merkel's comments came on the heels of what she called a "difficult" and "unsatisfactory" G7 summit. The summit included leaders of the US, UK, Germany, Japan, France, Canada, and Italy, and Merkel characterized the discussions as "six against one." Trump backed a pledge to fight protectionism at the end of the G7 summit on Saturday, but refused to endorse the climate pact, saying he needed more time to decide. However, Axios reported that Trump had already made his decision. Trump reportedly told multiple people, including Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt, that he would be pulling out of the deal, according to three sources with knowledge of the conversations. Despite his pledge to fight protectionism, Trump has favored a more protectionist stance on trade, while other G7 members favor free trade. In April, Trump was said to be considering an executive order which would pull the US out of NAFTA. After a phone call with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican president Peña Nieto, Trump changed his mind and said that he would be open to renegotiating the terms of NAFTA. Trump also ran on a platform of cracking down on immigration into the US, both through legal and illegal channels, and including refugee admission. Shortly after taking office, he signed an executive order imposing a travel ban on people coming from 7 Muslim-majority countries. After that ban was repeatedly struck down by the courts, Trump signed a second executive order targeting travelers from 6 Muslim-majority countries and relaxing some stipulations of the first travel ban. The second executive order was struck down by a number of courts as well and is currently being weighed by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Merkel, in a decision that was slammed by nationalists like Trump and France's Marine Le Pen, allowed hundreds of thousands of refugees to enter Germany. Trudeau has also signaled that he will open Canada's borders to those fleeing war and terrorism in their own countries. Trump also criticized key NATO allies at a summit on Thursday and said they were not spending enough on defense. He also warned of more attacks similar to the Manchester bombing unless the alliance did more to stop militants. Merkel's differences with Trump stand in stark contrast to the close relationship she shared with former president Barack Obama. Merkel has repeatedly characterized Obama as a friend and a strong German ally, and Obama called Merkel "one of my favorite partners throughout my presidency" during a visit to Germany's Brandenburg Gate on Thursday. Obama and Merkel met on the same day Merkel was set to meet with Trump during the NATO summit in Brussels. During her campaign event on Sunday, Merkel emphasized a close Franco-German alliance. She wished Macron success in his presidency and said, "Where Germany can help, Germany will help, because Germany can only do well if Europe is doing well." Her comments mark a potentially radical shift in US-German relations, as well as the US' relationship with Western Europe as a whole. But EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Sunday he was more optimistic now than after the US election last November after EU leaders held talks with Trump in Brussels. "What I am absolutely sure after this meeting is that despite some extraordinary ... expressions, behaviors, etc, etc, our partners in the G7 are much more responsible than the first impression after the election in the United States," Tusk said in the Slovak capital. |
| Posted by:gorb |
| #7 Her comments mark a potentially radical shift in US-German relations, as well as the US' relationship with Western Europe as a whole. How about, no free lunch. See to your own defense. And no we won't commit nuclear suicide in your defense. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2017-05-28 23:00 |
| #6 Merkel et al have saddled their economies with expensive energy and Trump has refused to do the same. Which will have got Merkel upset. Then add in the huge cost of a few million un-employable migrants and Germany is in for some difficult economic times. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2017-05-28 21:47 |
| #5 Angela traf sich mit keinem anderen als Barack Obama vor dem Treffen mit Präsident Trump während seiner ersten internationalen Tour als Präsident. The Germans are the worst. Fake medai rules there. Frau Merkel can't deal with an alph male. Same problem with Putin. |
| Posted by: Dale 2017-05-28 20:38 |
| #4 Germany hasn't exactly been a reliable ally for quite some time now. |
| Posted by: Chantry 2017-05-28 19:53 |
| #3 But while six of the seven renewed their commitment to the 2015 Paris accord on climate change, Trump said he needed more time to decide. During his election campaign, Trump frequently questioned the value of the EU, welcomed Britain’s vote to leave the bloc and spoke positively of anti-EU politicians such as the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Merkel said the result of the talks, which she described as “six against one”, was “very difficult, if not to say very unsatisfactory”. Trump was more positive on Twitter, saying: “Just returned from Europe. Trip was a great success for America. Hard work but big results!” Amazing the extent to which "True Believers"™ will hissy fit. |
| Posted by: Anomalous Sources 2017-05-28 19:48 |
| #2 After Hitler the Germs were in the hands of Russia on one side of the Iron Curtain and the US on the other side. The first thing Merkel does when the Germs are finally united again is allow an Islamic invasion. Your poeple are not in your their own hands for Alah is now your master. |
| Posted by: Nero White 3083 2017-05-28 18:54 |
| #1 'In your own hands' and about time. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2017-05-28 18:29 |