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Because it's a good, realistic comparison. Pointing out Germany was too dependent on Russia for natural gas - good point. Saying the US would drop out of NATO -
by rnk 4y ago
Because it's a good, realistic comparison. Pointing out Germany was too dependent on Russia for natural gas - good point. Saying the US would drop out of NATO - not a good strategy for stability. If you wanted to point out a Trump comment that everyone saw as a mistake at the time (but that doesn't add to the conversation), give the examples where he made dangerous suggestions to treat covid. Talking about nato seems fairly relevant.
Tons of people saw Germany was putting itself in a bad position. Every US administration since the initial direction was set said that.
- nradov 4y agoPresident Trump talked about dropping out of NATO specifically because Germany (along with several other European countries) had broken their treaty obligations and had failed to spend the required 2% of GDP on defense. They were essentially getting free protection from the USA, France, and the UK without doing anything in return. And the threat worked! Germany did significantly boost defense spending (although still not quite to the 2% target).
- MagnumOpus 4y agoThe 2% was and is not a treaty obligation.
- google234123 4y agoAll NATO countries agreed in 2006 to 2%. It's an indicator of a country’s will to actually contribute to NATO
- nradov 4y agoAll NATO members agreed to a 2% minimum within the context of the existing treaty. https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_67655.htm https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_67655.htm If Germany or any other country is unwilling to meet that treaty obligation then they should simply withdraw from the alliance rather than freeloading on more responsible countries.