EU Nations React to Trump's Criticism of NATO
mwaniki wanjiku | | Jan 16, 2017 09:20 PM EST |
(Photo : Getty Images) President-elect Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Trump International Golf Club for a day of meetings, November 20, 2016 in Bedminster Township, New Jersey.
US President-elect Donald Trump's comment that NATO has become obsolete has been met with surprise and defiance by the European Union member-states.
Like Us on Facebook
In an interview with a British publication, Trump had accused NATO of failing to deal with terrorism while also saying that more countries could follow England's example and leave the 28-nation European Union.
Frank-Walter Steinmeir, Germany's foreign minister, said that Trump's criticism of NATO and his claim that allied members were not contributing their fair share had caused astonishment.
French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said that the best response to Trump's criticism would be Europeans uniting.
In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Trump's positions have been long known but added her belief that Europeans are well aware that their problems are in their own hands.
"I'm personally going to wait until the American President takes office, and then we will naturally work with him on all levels," Merkel said.
Despite making similar comments in the past, a repetition of the same view came as a surprise, especially considering that he is a nominee for defense secretary, James Mattis stressed his support for the NATO alliance during his US congressional confirmation hearings last week.
In a sharp break from the Obama administration, which had urged the British people to vote to remain in the EU in the June referendum, Trump said that he was not concerned whether the European Union stays together or not.
Trump added that Britain's exit from the EU could end up being a great thing.
Boris Johnson, Britain's foreign secretary, said he was gladdened by the news that the United States wants to do a good trade deal with his country and wants to do it fast.
Tagsdonald trump, NATO, European Union, Europe
©2015 Chinatopix All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission
EDITOR'S PICKS
-
Did the Trump administration just announce plans for a trade war with ‘hostile’ China and Russia?
-
US Senate passes Taiwan travel bill slammed by China
-
As Yan Sihong’s family grieves, here are other Chinese students who went missing abroad. Some have never been found
-
Beijing blasts Western critics who ‘smear China’ with the term sharp power
-
China Envoy Seeks to Defuse Tensions With U.S. as a Trade War Brews
-
Singapore's Deputy PM Provides Bitcoin Vote of Confidence Amid China's Blanket Bans
-
China warns investors over risks in overseas virtual currency trading
-
Chinese government most trustworthy: survey
-
Kashima Antlers On Course For Back-To-Back Titles
MOST POPULAR
LATEST NEWS
Zhou Yongkang: China's Former Security Chief Sentenced to Life in Prison
China's former Chief of the Ministry of Public Security, Zhou Yongkang, has been given a life sentence after he was found guilty of abusing his office, bribery and deliberately ... Full Article
TRENDING STORY
-
China Pork Prices Expected to Stabilize As The Supplies Recover
-
Elephone P9000 Smartphone is now on Sale on Amazon India
-
There's a Big Chance Cliffhangers Won't Still Be Resolved When Grey's Anatomy Season 13 Returns
-
Supreme Court Ruled on Samsung vs Apple Dispute for Patent Infringement
-
Microsoft Surface Pro 5 Rumors and Release Date: What is the Latest?