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Terrorism, cooperation with the European Union and modernization of NATO's military tools are part of the agenda of the summit of the Atlantic Alliance opened this Wednesday, July 11 in Brussels. But these points have suddenly lost all importance in the face of the burden-sharing issue, namely the commitment of all to reach 2% of the GDP of military spending. This is the insistence of Donald Trump who once again managed to shake the debates of the 29 heads of state and government with a virulent attack on Germany.
Donald Trump met Angela Merkel head-to-head head and he assured the outcome have a "very good relationship" with the German Chancellor, reports our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet. One can doubt the reality of this assertion as the American president has used language of unprecedented virulence for an Allied Head of State. He specifically accused Germany of being in the hands of Russia because of its dependence on Russian energy imports.
Donald Trump in particular attacked the German-Russian gas pipeline project Nord Stream II and one can obviously imagine US trade concerns seeking to recapture hydrocarbon markets. Nevertheless, Donald Trump's position is not entirely made to displease some of NATO's member countries, especially Russia's neighbors.
Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz abounded in Donald Trump's sense that the Nord Stream II gas pipeline provided funds to Russia and thus gave it financial means that could be used against the security of Poland. This position is not unrelated to the fact that Poland shares with the Baltic countries a vision of Donald Trump different from that of Western Europeans. They believe they currently benefit from a tangible military commitment from the United States that they waited in vain for the time of Barack Obama.
The German Press Charges Trump
These undiplomatic statements sparked reactions in Germany, says our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut. "I lived how part of Germany was placed under the control of the Soviet Union. I am pleased that today we are a reunited country and able to make sovereign decisions. " Angela Merkel has retorted Donald Trump who had criticized Germany for being too dependent on Russia. A diplomatic way of saying that Washington does not have to treat Berlin like a vassal, like Moscow formerly with the GDR
On its side, the German press pulls red balls against the American president. "The man who makes such statements owes his election to a back-up support from Russia. This is not a provocation, it looks like a declaration of war, "writes the daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. Der Spiegel talks about the "sales pitch of a sales representative". According to the magazine, Donald Trump wants Germany to increase its military spending to sell more weapons in Berlin. And a reduction in Germany's energy dependence on Russia would allow Washington to sell its own gas in Berlin.
But some comments also point out that the excess of Donald Trump's attacks should not make forget that Germany must be self-critical. "Yes, our country is unbearably dependent on Russian energy and can be blackmailed," writes the daily Die Welt, which also points out that Germany's military spending is not enough.
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