After summits with Trump, Merkel says Europe must take fate into own hands

[webfact]

After summits with Trump, Merkel says Europe must take fate into own hands

 

German Chancellor and head of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Angela Merkel and head of Christian Social Union (CSU) Horst Seehofer during the Trudering festival in Munich, Germany, May 28, 2017. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

 

MUNICH (Reuters) - Europe can no longer completely rely on its allies, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Sunday, pointing to bruising meetings of G7 wealthy nations and NATO last week.

 

Merkel did not mention by name U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticised major NATO allies and refused to endorse a global climate change accord, but she told a packed beer tent in Munich that the days when Europe could completely count on others were "over to a certain extent".

 

"I have experienced this in the last few days," she said.  "And that is why I can only say that we Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands - of course in friendship with the United States of America, in friendship with Great Britain and as good neighbours wherever that is possible also with other countries, even with Russia."

 

"But we have to know that we must fight for our future on our own, for our destiny as Europeans," Merkel said.

 

The two-day G7 summit in Italy pitted Trump against the leaders of Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Japan on several issues, with European diplomats frustrated at having to revisit questions they had hoped were long settled.

 

The American tycoon-turned-president 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.

 

But EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Sunday he was more optimistic now than after the U.S. 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, behaviours, 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.

 

At the NATO summit on Thursday, Trump intensified his accusations that allies were not spending enough on defence and warned of more attacks such as this week's Manchester bombing unless the alliance did more to stop militants.

 

Turning to France, Merkel said she wished President Emmanuel Macron success, adding to applause: "Where Germany can help, Germany will help, because Germany can only do well if Europe is doing well."

 

    France is Germany's second-biggest trading partner and the presidential election victory of the pro-European centrist reformer Macron over far-right protectionist rival Marine Le Pen in early May has sparked hopes that Berlin will ally with Paris in spearheading a broad-based economic revival in Europe.  

 

(Reporting by Joern Poltz, additional reporting by Tatiana Jancarikova in Bratislava; Writing by Michael Nienaber, editing by Susan Thomas)

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-05-29

 

[boomerangutang]

                  It's true.  Though Merkel lost some respect during the massive migrant issue (which is still going on), she's now gaining respect.  She's emerging as the leader of the so-called 'Free World' (countries which rely on real democracy and free press, unlike the US, Thailand, China, N.Korea, Zimbabwe, etc).

 

                  Britain still has some relevance in Europe, but the US is fast fading in its leadership role, due to the fatally flawed and borderline-treasonous people at its helm.

[lovelomsak]

Emporer Merkel seems to be powering on. Not only will she lead Europe but she will defeat it from within. She is a dictator in the making.that now wishs to not just destroy Germany but all Europe. She will divide and conquer.

[darksidedog]

Merkel is dead right. With Trump at the helm, the US is a dying animal that cannot be relied upon. Putin is probably popping the champagne.

[smedly]

After summits with Trump, Merkel says Europe must take fate into own hands

 

how that should actually read and the rest of the EU nations need to wake up

 

 

After summits with Trump, Merkel says Germany must take fate into own hands and to hell with the rest of you, without the UK funds there is no way forward so we will opt out and take care of ourselves................and no we are not going to pay the billions we owe to Nato over the years - the UK did and look at the state they are in, all our citizens are happy with big pensions and a comfortable life ...................................... two speed EU coming up LMAO

 

and that is the truth.........everyone else got shafted

[Jingthing]

trump, the black swan that keeps on giving ...

Quote

Analysis: Why Merkel's 'into our own hands' comment matters

- Trump's election may have long-term global consequences

People have not yet seriously begun to think through the consequences of Trump's election for global politics.

 

 

 

http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Thanks-to-Trump-Germany-says-it-can-t-rely-on-11179470.php

[mfd101]

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

trump, the black swan that keeps on giving ...

 

 

http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Thanks-to-Trump-Germany-says-it-can-t-rely-on-11179470.php

Yes, this is - funnily enough - a GOOD outcome from the horrors of Trump: The Europeans learning again, at last, to stand on their own feet & not rely on others.

 

Will be good for Australia in that respect also. Grow up, learn not to lean.

 

I said on Facebook a few months ago that the Trump presidency was an opportunity for the rest of the world (for strategic rethink, change of approach, reform etc) and was shouted down by a million outraged citizens of the world unable to think for themselves.

 

But of course opportunity represents uncertainty and therefore risk ...

[ilostmypassword]

35 minutes ago, smedly said:

After summits with Trump, Merkel says Europe must take fate into own hands

 

how that should actually read and the rest of the EU nations need to wake up

 

 

After summits with Trump, Merkel says Germany must take fate into own hands and to hell with the rest of you, without the UK funds there is no way forward so we will opt out and take care of ourselves................and no we are not going to pay the billions we owe to Nato over the years - the UK did and look at the state they are in, all our citizens are happy with big pensions and a comfortable life ...................................... two speed EU coming up LMAO

 

and that is the truth.........everyone else got shafted

No country owes billions to Nato.  Or even millions. I thought Trump was the only person ignorant enough to believe that.

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Merkel says Europe must take fate into own hands

when was it any other way ?

[mamypoko]

please don't leave us alone with him

[DiamondKing]

MAYBE SHE SHOULD PAY HER BILL as well as the other 22 nations welching on their responsibilities 

TRUMP was spot on to call them out why the <deleted> should the USA pay for all these loser countries that are not paying their bills

[darksidedog]

Just yesterday Donald was telling those dumb enough to believe him that his trip was a success. Merkel is clearly not in his fan base and recognises him for what he is, a danger to world peace. America is clearly no longer seen as the leader of the free world and in fact under Trump seems to want to renege on many of its commitments and promises. I pray that the US people will wake up and start to see what they have set in motion. Reasonable people, with the ability to think cannot pretend any longer that everything is OK.

[Juan B Tong]

Today's bashing comments seem to be anti Trump and USA as usual with special guest targets the Germans and Australians.  Great for a rainy day in Pattaya.

[DiamondKing]

1 minute ago, darksidedog said:

Just yesterday Donald was telling those dumb enough to believe him that his trip was a success. Merkel is clearly not in his fan base and recognises him for what he is, a danger to world peace. America is clearly no longer seen as the leader of the free world and in fact under Trump seems to want to renege on many of its commitments and promises. I pray that the US people will wake up and start to see what they have set in motion. Reasonable people, with the ability to think cannot pretend any longer that everything is OK.

 

Why should he not renege ????

23 Nations have reneged by NOT PAYING their share of NATO expenses in fact many are years behind including GERMANY 

[Opl]

" Trump’s ostentatious refusal to endorse NATO’s famous Article 5, the guarantee of mutual defense .... He is doing so while people associated with his campaign are under suspicion of colluding with Vladimir Putin’s spy agencies to bring him to office. .. it’s hard to imagine that the messaging of Trump’s first trip could have been more perfect for Vladimir Putin if he’d written the script himself."

 

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/05/trump-nato-germany/528429/

[me313]

Trump/The US is: Trying to pry the gorging, over-fed partner(s) of the EU, who decades after the stabilizing Marshall Plan,   continue to hold hands out, demanding more out of the money vacuum sucking the life and resources out of the US in the never-ending money drain of the post-WWII Marshall Plan. By removing some of the resource drain tentacles of the EU off the host, the US, is helping the slowly-being-killed empire,  the "dying animal", get back on it's feet...

[Credo]

7 hours ago, DiamondKing said:

MAYBE SHE SHOULD PAY HER BILL as well as the other 22 nations welching on their responsibilities 

TRUMP was spot on to call them out why the <deleted> should the USA pay for all these loser countries that are not paying their bills

How much is the bill?   Who should they pay?

 

NATO works on a contribution basis, not on a pay basis.   It's a little like a pot luck dinner where everyone brings something and all get to eat, as opposed to a meal at a restaurant where someone gets stuck with the check.   

 

Oops, I see the above poster already explained it. 

[Thakkar]

11 minutes ago, Credo said:

How much is the bill?   Who should they pay?

 

NATO works on a contribution basis, not on a pay basis.   It's a little like a pot luck dinner where everyone brings something and all get to eat, as opposed to a meal at a restaurant where someone gets stuck with the check.   

No, no no.

NATO is Mar-a-Lago, Trump is the owner. The Europeans are the due-paying club members. Trump riding a real golf cart during their outing was an analogy.

 

Please keep up what th the Trump era analogies, man.

[funandsuninbangkok]

1 hour ago, mfd101 said:

Yes, this is - funnily enough - a GOOD outcome from the horrors of Trump: The Europeans learning again, at last, to stand on their own feet & not rely on others.

 

Will be good for Australia in that respect also. Grow up, learn not to lean.

 

I said on Facebook a few months ago that the Trump presidency was an opportunity for the rest of the world (for strategic rethink, change of approach, reform etc) and was shouted down by a million outraged citizens of the world unable to think for themselves.

 

But of course opportunity represents uncertainty and therefore risk ...

Exactly. Donald Trump got elected on an Anerica First platform. Germany is a rich country. They need tanks, fighter jets and German boys to face off the Russians. The Americans can sell the gear to them. Trade deficit gone. 

 

Well done President Trump.

 

Next up Japan. 

[ilostmypassword]

2 minutes ago, funandsuninbangkok said:

Exactly. Donald Trump got elected on an Anerica First platform. Germany is a rich country. They need tanks, fighter jets and German boys to face off the Russians. The Americans can sell the gear to them. Trade deficit gone. 

 

Well done President Trump.

 

Next up Japan. 

Actually, Europe has its own formidable defense industries. So it's very dubious that the Germans, or any other continental EU members,  will be buying much from the USA. 

[mtls2005]

Putin is absolutely over the moon.

 

 

[sanukjim]

3 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Merkel is dead right. With Trump at the helm, the US is a dying animal that cannot be relied upon. Putin is probably popping the champagne.

No,The US will never be (a dying animal).The US is finally waking up and telling the governments of Europe "Take care of and finance your own defense,as we have been the major money and military supply er for NATO since it's conception".

[tomacht8]

Trump ends the friendship with Europe, G7 become G6, and Trump is now in bed with his new friends from Saudi Arabia.
Truly a diplomatic masterpiece.

[Ulic]

3 hours ago, ilostmypassword said:

No country owes billions to Nato.  Or even millions. I thought Trump was the only person ignorant enough to believe that.

Of course no country owes billions or even millions to the US for providing a shield for Europe. But the US does not owe the countries of Europe to provide any protection when they do not live up to there commitments to spend 2% of their GDP's on defence either. The EU continues to take in eastern block countries which is entirely fine. Up to Europe. But also inviting them to join NATO just pokes the Russian bear and serves no one.  A buffer needs to remain between Russia and Europe. Don't poke the bear and expect The US to step in.

 

[Srikcir]

Trump has taken America from "Make America Great" to Make America Alone."

American Exceptionalism has become American Ad Nauseum.

[phkauf]

About <deleted> time the Europeans put on their big boy pants and learned to take care of themselves. Trump is right, America spends WAY too much money protecting other nations who shirk their responsibility. And if Putin decides to get a little opportunistic maybe the Europeans will think twice about who really is their friend. Good to see the UK is finally extricating themselves from the EU mess.

As to Merkel and Germany, well it can't be a bad thing if Germany dominates Europe, can it????

[darksidedog]

9 minutes ago, Ulic said:

Of course no country owes billions or even millions to the US for providing a shield for Europe. But the US does

not owe the countries of Europe to provide any protection when they do not live up to there commitments

to spend 2% of their GDP's on defence either. The EU continues to take in eastern block countries which is

entirely fine. Up to Europe. But also inviting them to join NATO just pokes the Russian bear and serves no one.

A buffer needs to remain between Russia and Europe. Don't poke the bear and expect The US to step in.

 

None of the NATO members has any obligation to pay 2% of GDP into defence until 2024. So none of them can be accused of not living up to their commitments. Please try to base your post on fact, rather then repeating falsehoods from Donald.

Also note that all NATO members have agreed to Article 5 that says they agree to assist America if it is ever attacked or needs help. Donald has not reciprocated. So, he wants NATO members to give the 2% seven years early, with NO guarantee that the US will hold up its side of the bargain if a European country is attacked.

And that is why Merkel recognises that the US can no longer be relied upon. 70 years of cooperation falling apart because of this idiot.

[Usernames]

Merkel: "Uh, oh. The Americans and the British are not going to pay our way anymore. Time for the 'Europeans' to step in and make up the difference."

[OKF]

4 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

Emporer Merkel seems to be powering on. Not only will she lead Europe but she will defeat it from within. She is a dictator in the making.that now wishs to not just destroy Germany but all Europe. She will divide and conquer.

Hi@all,

 

so how do you come to that conclusion? Where r u from that you can make such IMHO stupid and short sighted remark?

 

As a general remark I would like to add that this person Trump is a big chance for Europe to finally sharpen their profile and come to together more close. That is the only good thing about Trump that I can see from a european perspective. Naturally Merkel is the leader in europe whther I like her or not. She the only experinced player on the political stage in Europe now. So everybody has to rely on her a little bit. This one has to be clearly seen

 

[boomerangutang]

4 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Merkel is dead right. With Trump at the helm, the US is a dying animal that cannot be relied upon. Putin is probably popping the champagne.

.......and gassing up hundreds of Russian tanks on the borders of Belarus, Latvia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states.

 

2 hours ago, DiamondKing said:

MAYBE SHE SHOULD PAY HER BILL as well as the other 22 nations welching on their responsibilities 
TRUMP was spot on to call them out why the F should the USA pay for all these loser countries that are not paying their bills

                                    Because sometimes big guys help out little guys.  Do some research on why NATO exists and then get back to us.  If you like the concept of Russia re-cobbling its former Soviet glory, then you probably also like to see NATO weakening. 

 

                            Incidentally, NATO came together and assisted the US, not long ago, after NYC and Wash DC got bombed.  They assisted Uncle Sam in kicking some butt in Afghanistan.