The North Atlantic Treaty does call for its member states to “separately and jointly, by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid…maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.” But the “2% of GDP” is only an interpretation that NATO has settled on of that part of the treaty (Article 3), that NATO members ought to spend that much of their GDP on defense. Somehow, Trump has morphed that into “I want them to pay…They don’t pay us what they should be paying!”
But they don’t pay us anything! It’s a mutual defense treaty, not an imperialist protection racket.
And the bottom line–the absolute bedrock of U.S. foreign policy for almost 70 years, the brightest and clearest “red line” of them all–is that
It’s shocking for a major party Presidential nominee to call that into question. It’s either horrifying ignorant; or quite possibly indicative of actual disloyalty on Trump’s part, and for the most base and self-serving of motives.
This is a thread about Donald Trump and his relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia.
So today, Newsweek tried asking Donald Trump about that relationship. Rick Wilson, Republican consultant, had suggested asking Donald Trump the following question:
“Mr. Trump does not have any business dealings in/with Russia.”
Which is clearly false and also doesn’t answer the question. Lying is a Trump reflex so no surprise there but they’ve talked about their business interests in Russia previously. Like adaher said, Trump’s ties to Russia are public knowledge.
I hope more people continue to press Donald Trump for evidence to back up his lies.
There’s a lot to unpack, here. First off, since we converted the Communists to our way of thinking, they have shown a rather fuzzy notion about the line between entrepreneurship and thuggery. And successful criminals, like for instance, drug cartels, face the challenge of where to put all that damn money!
Then you got Trump’s somewhat shaky record as regards credit extended to him, as well as a casual attitude towards investors.
What a truly ruthless Hillary should do is get somebody to fake up a scurrilous “tax return” for Il Douche and “leak” it. Then, when he screams, just bat our big brown eyes and say “Well, OK, then, give us the real one that will shut them up!”
Of course, that would be wrong! And I stand ready to renounce, denounce and condemn such underhanded tactics with a firm “Tsk! Tsk!”.
I agree. Even as A CANDIDATE, Trump has damaged international relations for the United States. Can anyone seriously imagine the consequences if Obama had said such a thing?
With the obvious lies about Trumps’ Russian financial connections coming from his spokesperson, Hope Hicks, it is even more important that Trump disclose all of his financial dealings,including his tax returns.
I think that since Trump is now espousing foreign policy that is damaging to our allies, and positive for Russia, we might JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT LITTLE DETAIL.
Our NATO allies. Good God, are you even aware of the issue? Trump has said that he would not protect our NATO ALLIES in the event they were attacked (unless they paid up, of course)
In particular, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, who are just a little concerned about Russia moving in.
It’s not impossible that this might even have an impact on the low-information voters.
Those who thrill to Trump’s American nativist strain of politics, aren’t particularly pro-Russia. To them–however impressed they may be by strongman Putin’s ruthlessness–having a President who does the will of the Commies is not a happy thought.
It’s interesting how the Clinton campaign has gotten a pass for pulling a Trump on the email leak. As soon as it happened they raised the Russian bogeyman in true Trump fashion. For example if the roles were reversed, Trump would immediately blame the Chinese or another of his villains. This would be portrayed as just another example of Trump speaking recklessly and damaging relations between nations. Clinton recklessly blames her villain, and NPR bites so hard on this, they chip a tooth. Yesterday the reporter giving the commentary was asked hesitantly what the evidence of Russian involvement was. She simply said “forensic evidence” and that was the substance of the claim. Wow. They are in full blown panic mode.
It’s interesting when Trump actually says something completely idiotic like he won’t support NATO allies if they’re attacked, all the Trump apologists can say is some shit about Hilary.
Are you in agreement with Trump, WillFarnaby? Just tell our NATO allies Latvia and Estonia to go pound sand unless they pay us some more cash? Tough luck if they’re attacked, we’ll just spit on the NATO alliance? See if Putin makes us a better business offer?
