• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Donald Trump slams plan for European army because of ‘Germany’ in both world wars

TU Curmudgeon

B.A. (Sarc), LLb. (Lex Sarcasus), PhD (Sarc.)
DP Veteran
Joined
Mar 7, 2018
Messages
61,961
Reaction score
19,061
Location
Lower Mainland of BC
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Centrist
From Global News

Donald Trump slams plan for European army because of ‘Germany’ in both world wars

U.S. President Donald Trump is lashing out at French President Emmanuel Macron after spending a few days in Paris.

Trump was one of many world leaders commemorating the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] anniversary of the end of the First World War.

He referenced both world wars when criticizing Macron’s plan to start a European army in the wake of a changing political world.

“Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France?” Trump said. “They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along.”

COMMENT:-

Mr. Trump appears to be unaware of two minor points:


  1. This time the Germans are going to be "Home" and not "Visitors"; and
  2. The combined spending of the NATO nations to "defend the NATO countries against a European Enemy" is around US$269.78Bn of which the US contributes around US$30.7Bn (that's around 11.4%) while the combined population of the NATO countries is around 603.7Mn and the population of the US is around 325.7Mn (that's around 53.95%) so there is a real question about who is not "paying their share" since, on a per capita basis, the US should be paying around US$145.55 and it is only paying around 21.15% of that amount.

 
From Global News

Donald Trump slams plan for European army because of ‘Germany’ in both world wars

U.S. President Donald Trump is lashing out at French President Emmanuel Macron after spending a few days in Paris.

Trump was one of many world leaders commemorating the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] anniversary of the end of the First World War.

He referenced both world wars when criticizing Macron’s plan to start a European army in the wake of a changing political world.

“Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France?” Trump said. “They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along.”

COMMENT:-

Mr. Trump appears to be unaware of two minor points:


  1. This time the Germans are going to be "Home" and not "Visitors"; and
  2. The combined spending of the NATO nations to "defend the NATO countries against a European Enemy" is around US$269.78Bn of which the US contributes around US$30.7Bn (that's around 11.4%) while the combined population of the NATO countries is around 603.7Mn and the population of the US is around 325.7Mn (that's around 53.95%) so there is a real question about who is not "paying their share" since, on a per capita basis, the US should be paying around US$145.55 and it is only paying around 21.15% of that amount.


Trump should be happy that the Europeans are talking about providing for their own defense. Isn't that what he wants them to do?
 
Trump should be happy that the Europeans are talking about providing for their own defense. Isn't that what he wants them to do?

What? Is Trump being wildly inconsistent again? :shock:

Trump didn't want the US to be respected or a leader on the world stage so he's torpedoed most of our alliances and spit in their faces. The rest of the world sees now that the US is an unreliable partner that can not be depended on. If Trump's goal was to destroy America's global influence, he really couldn't be better at it. Meanwhile China is cozying up to everyone and filling the hole we left to become the new biggest world influence. This is what you wanted, right Trump supporters?
 
He complains and complains that Europeans are not providing for their own defense, as soon as they do he condemns it for incredibly idiotic and made up reasons.
 
From Global News

Donald Trump slams plan for European army because of ‘Germany’ in both world wars

U.S. President Donald Trump is lashing out at French President Emmanuel Macron after spending a few days in Paris.

Trump was one of many world leaders commemorating the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] anniversary of the end of the First World War.

He referenced both world wars when criticizing Macron’s plan to start a European army in the wake of a changing political world.

“Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France?” Trump said. “They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along.”

COMMENT:-

Mr. Trump appears to be unaware of two minor points:


  1. This time the Germans are going to be "Home" and not "Visitors"; and
  2. The combined spending of the NATO nations to "defend the NATO countries against a European Enemy" is around US$269.78Bn of which the US contributes around US$30.7Bn (that's around 11.4%) while the combined population of the NATO countries is around 603.7Mn and the population of the US is around 325.7Mn (that's around 53.95%) so there is a real question about who is not "paying their share" since, on a per capita basis, the US should be paying around US$145.55 and it is only paying around 21.15% of that amount.


Wait a second... hasn't Mr. Orange McWhinypants complained about the U.S. having to fiscally support Europe's defenses? NOW he's bitching about them establishing a unified defense? Dude is flailing about contradicting himself.
 
Wait a second... hasn't Mr. Orange McWhinypants complained about the U.S. having to fiscally support Europe's defenses? NOW he's bitching about them establishing a unified defense? Dude is flailing about contradicting himself.

It depends on the point of view.

From a Russian point of view, Trump hurting alliances with Europe is a good thing. But Europe building their own army? Not so much.
 
From Global News

Donald Trump slams plan for European army because of ‘Germany’ in both world wars

U.S. President Donald Trump is lashing out at French President Emmanuel Macron after spending a few days in Paris.

Trump was one of many world leaders commemorating the 100[SUP]th[/SUP] anniversary of the end of the First World War.

He referenced both world wars when criticizing Macron’s plan to start a European army in the wake of a changing political world.

“Emmanuel Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two – How did that work out for France?” Trump said. “They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along.”

COMMENT:-

Mr. Trump appears to be unaware of two minor points:


  1. This time the Germans are going to be "Home" and not "Visitors"; and
  2. The combined spending of the NATO nations to "defend the NATO countries against a European Enemy" is around US$269.78Bn of which the US contributes around US$30.7Bn (that's around 11.4%) while the combined population of the NATO countries is around 603.7Mn and the population of the US is around 325.7Mn (that's around 53.95%) so there is a real question about who is not "paying their share" since, on a per capita basis, the US should be paying around US$145.55 and it is only paying around 21.15% of that amount.


The most unsettling thing about this whole thing is that our European allies feel like they need to come together to protect themselves from the US - and even more disturbing is that they probably do.
 
Dude is flailing about contradicting himself.

He complains and complains that Europeans are not providing for their own defense, as soon as they do he condemns it for incredibly idiotic and made up reasons.



It depends on the point of view.

From a Russian point of view, Trump hurting alliances with Europe is a good thing. But Europe building their own army? Not so much.

Uh huh! Makes total sense now! :applaud
 
Trump should be happy that the Europeans are talking about providing for their own defense. Isn't that what he wants them to do?

Only if they buy all of their equipment and supplies from American companies.
 
I doubt the Europeans are game for $1,300 coffee cups and $10,000 toilet seat lids.

If they aren't, why then the solution is to impose crushing sanctions and tariffs on them - isn't that obvious?
 
If they aren't, why then the solution is to impose crushing sanctions and tariffs on them - isn't that obvious?

Never fear. Soybeans will save us all! They’re good for steaming, tofu, and throwing at Russians.
 
Never fear. Soybeans will save us all! They’re good for steaming, tofu, and throwing at Russians.

Sure, but can you make a hockey puck out of it?
 
Everyone makes sacrifices in wartime, but don’t tell Canada.

I'm not quite sure what your point is, but:

  1. in 1914 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  2. in 1915 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  3. in 1916 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  4. in almost all of 1917 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  5. in 1939 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  6. in 1940 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  7. in almost all of 1941 Canada was helping to defend the world from German aggression - the US wasn't;
  8. Canada has approximately 6% of the total population of the NATO nations and pays between 6 and 10% of the cost of defending the NATO nations against Russia;
  9. the US has approximately 30% of the total population of the NATO nations and pays approximately 10% of the cost of defending the NATO nations against Russia.

So, exactly who is "sacrificing" what and who has a history of "sacrificing"?
 
Back
Top Bottom