OPINION:
A German lawmaker and foreign policy spokesman in Angela Merkel’s party has raised the possibility that maybe Europe should defend itself. Of course Germany doesn’t want to actually do it themselves. It would like the United Kingdom and France to provide the nuclear umbrella.
It seems Donald Trump’s comments that many members of NATO are not paying their fair share is bearing fruit even before Trump takes office. German spends approximately one percent of its GDP on defense as opposed to close to four percent by the U.S.
“The U.S. nuclear shield and nuclear security guarantees are imperative for Europe,” Roderich Kiesewetter, as conservative, said in an interview. “If the United States no longer wants to provide this guarantee, Europe still needs nuclear protection for deterrent purposes,” reports Reuters.
Speaking of Obama’s reassurances on his recent European trip, “That’s all fine and good, but we have to measure Trump by his actions,” Mr. Kiesewetter said. “Europe must start planning for its own security in case the Americans sharply raise the cost of defending the continent, or if they decide to leave completely.”
“We have to plan ahead and cannot let ourselves be surprised,” he said.
See how that works? When you force people to deal with reality and you negotiate from a position of strength you get results. I expect this to be the first of many foreign policy wins by the future Trump administration.
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