webfact Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Trump blasts, Europe bites back Catherine Hardy BERLIN: -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has insisted Europe’s destiny lies in its own hands. Her comment comes in response to US President-elect Donald Trump. Trump said in a newspaper interview he believed other countries would leave the EU after Britain. “I think we Europeans have our fate in our own hands,” Merkel told a joint news conference with New Zealand’s prime minister “I am personally waiting for the inauguration of the US president. Then, of course, we will work with him on all levels,” Merkel added, when asked about Trump’s criticism of her migrant policy. Donald Trump’s dismissal of NATO as “obsolete” has also raised eyebrows in Brussels. Some, including German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, say it contradicts comments made only days ago by Trump’s incoming Defence Secretary. Boris Johnson The UK’s Foreign Secretary says he is sure Britain and the US can conclude a free trade deal that is in their mutual interest. Boris Johnson welcomed the UK’s decision to leave the EU, a move which could give it the opportunity to conclude bilateral trade agreements. What Boris said “It is very good news that the United States of America wants to do a good free trade deal with us and wants to do it very fast and it’s great to hear that from President-elect Donald Trump,” Johnson said. “Clearly it will have to be a deal that is very much in the interests of both sides but I’ve no doubt that it will be.” Boris in 6 quotes Donald Trump is not the only figure on the global stage capable of creating waves with his words. As the UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson holds one of the highest offices in the land. Being the country’s top diplomat requires great skill to navigate and negotiate some of the most complex situations on the planet. Here are some Boris gaffes the likes of which he would be advised to try and avoid during his time in role: Israel 2015 – a boycott of Israeli goods is “completely crazy” and supported by “corduroy-jacketed, snaggle-toothed, lefty academics in the UK.” EU – 2016 – “Napoleon, Hitler, various people tried to unify Europe and it ends tragically.” Papua New Guinea 2006 – “For 10 years, we in the Tory Party have become used to Papua New Guinea-style orgies of cannibalism and chief-killing.” Turkey 2016 – won 1,000 UK pounds for a crude limerick he penned about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. China 2008 – suggested table tennis was not invented by the Chinese but was developed from a Victorian English game called “whiff-whaff”. Hillary Clinton 2007 – “She has got dyed blonde hair and pouty lips and a steely blue stare like a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital.” -- © Copyright Euronews 2017-1-17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optad Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optad Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Boris and Chinese sensibilities re 'whiff whaff' is funny though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 Trump said in a newspaper interview he believed other countries would leave the EU after Britain. “I think we Europeans have our fate in our own hands,” Merkel told a joint news conference with New Zealand’s prime minister They're both right. Some countries will almost certainly decide to leave the EU and it's up to the people in those countries. It has nothing to do with Trump and very little to do with Merkel, apart from Germany of course. I wouldn't be surprised if the Germans vote her back in again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 4 minutes ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Don't worry about it, most people in Europe don't give two hoots what an American president thinks. I remember Obama going to the UK last year and encouraging the people (with threats) to vote to stay in the EU, we all know how that turned out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
selftaopath Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 9 minutes ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Maybe b/c he's speaking for his "boyfriend" and Russian dictator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted January 16, 2017 Share Posted January 16, 2017 16 minutes ago, ukrules said: They're both right. Some countries will almost certainly decide to leave the EU and it's up to the people in those countries. unfortunately you are wrong, it is up to the governments of those countries to determine if they want the people to vote or not, if Cameron hadn't made a promise to hold a referendum it wouldn't have happened and would have made no difference to the election results, of course before that he went to Europe to press for changes and was largely ignored and to an extent laughed at - he threatened a referendum and we now have brexit The people of other EU countries will not be given the opportunity of a referendum unless their political landscape turns on its head I personally believe they should all be given the opportunity of a referendum - all Europe needed was a free trade deal - nothing more, the Germans are in the driving seat they attempted 2 times by war to take over Europe - 3rd attempt - for now it seems they have a result Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khun Han Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 5 minutes ago, smedly said: unfortunately you are wrong, it is up to the governments of those countries to determine if they want the people to vote or not, if Cameron hadn't made a promise to hold a referendum it wouldn't have happened and would have made no difference to the election results, of course before that he went to Europe to press for changes and was largely ignored and to an extent laughed at - he threatened a referendum and we now have brexit The people of other EU countries will not be given the opportunity of a referendum unless their political landscape turns on its head I personally believe they should all be given the opportunity of a referendum - all Europe needed was a free trade deal - nothing more, the Germans are in the driving seat they attempted 2 times by war to take over Europe - 3rd attempt - for now it seems they have a result This. It's so plainly obvious, it's frightening that some shut their ears and argue aggressively against it. It's the pre-WW2 appeasement campaign all over again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impulse Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 51 minutes ago, webfact said: Here are some Boris gaffes... Gaffes? Or gems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezzra Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 What dose it matter what he said, she said and they said... so they all said, so what? in the next days weeks and months to come, there will be much more of the same and if the world will get their panties in a bunch every time someone said something, how can we go through the day?..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Briggsy Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 1 hour ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Because it suits Vladmir's agenda. Whenever Trump says anything on foreign policy, he is just repeating what his Russian handlers have told him to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opl Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? As Briggsy said , Trump politically sides Putin in the sanctions lift and the rise of far right movements in Europe élections, every move to weaken Europe is welcome . 1 hour ago, Briggsy said: Because it suits Vladmir's agenda. Whenever Trump says anything on foreign policy, he is just repeating what his Russian handlers have told him to say. Trump is also interested in destabilizing European Economic Union in favor of US trade deals - easier to negociate separately as Super Power one by one with each country - consider how Trump is already working on Mexico economy and the NAFTA treaty - next to come : UK Eventually, if finally EUR disappears, it will be all in favor of the USD as international trade deals currency. US Banks and Wall Street won the élections ( anyway - whoever is elected) Trump is POTUS - not leader of the free world. Edited January 17, 2017 by Opl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optad Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 7 minutes ago, Opl said: Trump is also interested in destabilizing European Economic Union in favor of US trade deals - easier to negociate separately as Super Power one by one with each country - consider how Trump is actually working on Mexico economy and the ALENA treaty - next to come : UK Eventually, if finally EUR disappears, it will be all in favor of the USD as international trade deals currency. Trump is POTUS - not leader of the free world. I think you give Donald more credit than he deserves. I cannot see him thinking that far down the track. You have him seeing the third move on a chess board. Phew. Destabilising Europe is not for games. He is an idiot but don't think even he would risk a fragile europe. Then again most of what The Donald does is unintentional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opl Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) 11 minutes ago, optad said: I think you give Donald more credit than he deserves. I cannot see him thinking that far down the track. You have him seeing the third move on a chess board. Phew. Destabilising Europe is not for games. He is an idiot but don't think even he would risk a fragile europe. Then again most of what The Donald does is unintentional. maybe you are right, maybe someone else has a great strategy going on... Edited January 17, 2017 by Opl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 A troll post has been removed. Continued use of unflattering and nonsensical pictures will result in suspensions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klauskunkel Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Europe bites back? Seems to me they forget to wear their dentures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweatalot Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 "....Merkel has insisted Europe’s destiny lies in its own hands. " Not anymore - now it's in the hands of the scum she welcomed and their religion and their terrorists. Dreamer (or denier) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 4 hours ago, webfact said: '“I think we Europeans have our fate in our own hands,” Merkel told a joint news conference ...' 'Or rather, in our German hands.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 4 hours ago, webfact said: Here are some Boris gaffes ... Boris has a lot in common with DofE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonmarleesco Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, Opl said: As Briggsy said , Trump politically sides Putin in the sanctions lift and the rise of far right movements in Europe élections, every move to weaken Europe is welcome . Trump is also interested in destabilizing European Economic Union in favor of US trade deals - easier to negociate separately as Super Power one by one with each country - consider how Trump is already working on Mexico economy and the NAFTA treaty - next to come : UK Eventually, if finally EUR disappears, it will be all in favor of the USD as international trade deals currency. US Banks and Wall Street won the élections ( anyway - whoever is elected) Trump is POTUS - not leader of the free world. '... it will be all in favor of the USD as international trade deals currency.' It is now. Where, in the world, does the Euro hold sway - EU, apart? Edited January 17, 2017 by Jonmarleesco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Songlaw Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) 5 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? You'd have to ask an actual U.S. president so, you'd best get a move on. Zero hour is fast approaching. Unless this potential whackamole-in-chief finally succumbs to a complete and timely mental collapse (a possibility, however remote it may seem), thereby removing himself from the equation, or, the seeming groundwork being laid for a potential coup and/or the purportedly massive marches on Washington set for inauguration day results in something other than yet another tragic comedy of errors, it is likely to be quite some time before you get another chance. To think I once called that place 'home.' Keep your stick on the ice. And again, if anyone asks, I'm Canadian, or Mexican, Czechoslovakian (may or may not be still considered an ethnicity), or what-have-you; as unsurprisingly, many, many nationalities and/or governmental systems 'suddenly' seem more desirable, by comparison. Sleep tight, everyone. Edited January 17, 2017 by Songlaw Short a comma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smedly Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 4 hours ago, Khun Han said: This. It's so plainly obvious, it's frightening that some shut their ears and argue aggressively against it. It's the pre-WW2 appeasement campaign all over again. funny you should say that, ww2 was primed by the Germans (Adolf Hitler) calling a meeting and demanding he be allowed Czechoslovakia, Germany not satisfied with that then invaded Poland, at around the same time Japan invaded China - go figure, the interesting thing is that when you look at the 2nd WW forming up You had Japan (invading China) Germany taking Czechoslovakia and invading Poland then Austria (interesting to note that Austria started WW1) at which point the French and British declared war on Germany Italy decided to join the fray Hungary and a reluctant Romania also Germany continued into Denmark, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and eventually France the allies (depending on where you are from) French British - Plus Commonwealth nations USSR (Russia) initially German Allies USA (after PH) Canada and a few other countries that supported the allies in some way or another - Greece etc Lives lost and the cost (the horrid reality) copied from the internet 1 U.S. $341 billion in 1945 would cost $3,582,143,803,399.78 in 2005. 2 Germany $272 billion in 1945 would cost $2,857,311,186,289.56 in 2005. 3 Soviet Union $192 billion in 1945 would cost $2,016,925,543,263.22 in 2005. 4 Britain $120 billion in 1945 would cost $1,260,578,464,539.51 in 2005. 5 Italy $94 billion in 1945 would cost $987,453,130,555.95 in 2005. 6 Japan $56 billion in 1945 would cost $588,269,950,118.44 in 2005. Total $1.075 trillion in 1945 would cost $11,292,682,078,166.46 in 2005. Country Military Civilian Total 1 USSR 13,000,000 7,000,000 20,000,000 2 China 3,500,000 10,000,000 13,500,000 3 Germany 3,500,000 3,800,000 7,300,000 4 Poland 120,000 5,300,000 5,420,000 5 Japan 1,700,000 380,000 2,080,000 6 Yugoslavia 300,000 1,300,000 1,600,000 7 Romania 200,000 465,000 665,000 8 France 250,000 60,000 610,000 9 British E & C.W. 452,000 60,000 512,000 10 Italy 330,000 80,000 410,000 11 USA 407,318 No significant losses 407,318 12 Hungary 120,000 280,000 400,000 13 Czechoslovakia 10,000 330,000 340,000 The rest we know and then we have the EEC with Brussels (Germany) reeling in more and more power to the central European Parliament (Germany) Lest we forget Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 6 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? There have always been some who believe the US establishment doesn't want a federal state of EU. That would create a very big elephant in the room for the US and create a super state. Without the UK to put the breaks on federalism, and reduce German domination of the EU, the US has an interest in seeing the federalists plans scuppered. It should be note that the people of the EU have never been consulted on this march towards federalism. But the center left, left and liberal politicians and their appointed bureaucrats have decided for them. As for NATO. Trump is correct in that NATO needs a massive reform to meet today's challenges and those countries who've been not paying what they are contractually obliged to should either pay up or be excluded. A free ride on the American taxpayer has been abused by some for too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baerboxer Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 6 hours ago, ukrules said: They're both right. Some countries will almost certainly decide to leave the EU and it's up to the people in those countries. It has nothing to do with Trump and very little to do with Merkel, apart from Germany of course. I wouldn't be surprised if the Germans vote her back in again. I expect her to be re-elected. She clings on to power like the old DDR leaders of whose machinery she was part when young. The new "get tough" policies and press releases on repatriating illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers, the showing of immigrant children doing good and integrating is all designed to show she was right after all and never ever made a mistake. Blame those nasty British who wouldn't accept the quota idea she wished to unilaterally impose when the magnitude of her poor decisions hit home. The German economy isn't so bad and more than anything else she's pushed Germany forward on the world stage. Dominating the EU and doing what many Germans really believe to be their right - managing the whole of Europe and telling everyone else how it must be. France under Hollande is a joke. All posturing and pretending that they have as much influence as Germany. She tolerated him as he's never been of any significance. Besides which he's too busy dealing with all the strikes back home. New French leadership could be interesting depending on who wins their election. But the French after all their shouting and moaning usually vote safe and are very unlikely to vote for real change. Netherlands could be significant. When I worked and lived there I was genuinely surprised of how many people, young and old, were highly suspicious of Germany and the possibility of a German dominated Europe was seen as a real threat. If Wilders get's in could be the next domino to fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 7 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Trump thinks he's smart. If you doubt him, he will tell you again tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BernieOnTour Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 7 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? He cannot destabilize, what was never stabilized since the end of the cold war, the majority of EU citizens having no voting rights, who could join, what the "Commission" decided and the EURO implementation. - European politicians are far more effective in de-stabilization than any US President-elect could ever be with some statements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunroaming Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 Good to see that Trump, Putin and Johnson are all on the same page over the EU. I feel much safer now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morch Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 16 hours ago, ezzra said: What dose it matter what he said, she said and they said... so they all said, so what? in the next days weeks and months to come, there will be much more of the same and if the world will get their panties in a bunch every time someone said something, how can we go through the day?..... Do you really want to re-visit all those posts you made indignantly venting on the words of this or that politician? Guess "it doesn't matter" only when it's inconvenient or fits one's views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumling Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 18 hours ago, optad said: Why would an American President want to destabilise Europe with comments like that? Europe are already destabilised by all the muslims .He tells the truth,believe me ,i live in europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumling Posted January 17, 2017 Share Posted January 17, 2017 18 hours ago, ukrules said: They're both right. Some countries will almost certainly decide to leave the EU and it's up to the people in those countries. It has nothing to do with Trump and very little to do with Merkel, apart from Germany of course. I wouldn't be surprised if the Germans vote her back in again. Swedish people do not have the faith in their hands,beacuse their infantile goverment will never let them vote about Swexit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now