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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsParlez-vous obnoxious?: Trump tells France re. NATO, "we want our money back"
Trumps faux-pas diplomacyWhile the Hollande call on Jan. 28 did touch on pressing matters between the two countries namely the fight against the Islamic State Trump also used the exchange to vent about his personal fixations, including his belief that the United States is being taken advantage of by China and by international bodies like NATO, the official said.
At one point, Trump declared that the French can continue protecting NATO, but that the U.S. wants our money back, the official said, adding that Trump seemed to be obsessing over money."
It was a difficult conversation, because he talks like hes speaking publicly, the official said. It's not the usual way heads of state speak to each other. He speaks with slogans and the conversation was not completely organized.
More at http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-foreign-leaders-phone-calls-234770
dalton99a
(81,387 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,780 posts)He is just monumentally embarrassing.
exboyfil
(17,862 posts)Still I thought Clinton, Bush II, and Obama was unwise in continuing to expand NATO towards the Russians. I thought it was time to put it to bed. If you look at the EU economy, you have to question why can't they defend themselves? Same argument for South Korea.
On the other hand this man is a fool and even if I agree with him in principle, he is going to screw up our foreign affairs for generations to come if he keeps going.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Have you ever seen him "dial it back"?
He'll screw it up, just like always.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)NATO isn't important to the world are fooling themselves. The former Soviet Republics don't trust Russia and given Georgia, Crimea and Eastern Ukraine and Putin's penchant for poisoning opponents worldwide, what sane person can say those Republics don't have a valid concern.
exboyfil
(17,862 posts)Not 20 years ago. I think their was a historic moment after the collapse of the Soviet Union to exit NATO. Continuing to push the NATO frontier to the doorstep of Russia is part of the reason that Putin has the power base which he has now.
The EU countries must pay more for their defense. Such negotiation should not be handled by our ham fisted President, but it is a fact.
Yavin4
(35,420 posts)and then understand that the peace we've had in Europe since the end of WWII is largely due to NATO.