The accusation came at a NATO summit after Trump had questioned ongoing US military presence in Germany. He based his claim on Germany’s import of Russian oil and natural gas. Most of Europe has long purchased Russian fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, given the expense of having it shipped overseas. The US was also a net importer of oil and had until recently had also been a net importer of natural gas.
Trump made the remark at a G7 meeting, which includes 5 other NATO members. He has repeatedly attacked and cast doubt on the organization’s future. NATO is a mutual defense treaty created to defend against the Soviet Union, which includes 29 members across North America and Europe. NAFTA is a free trade agreement instituted in the 90s between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The two have no connection.
Trump made the remarks after a G7 summit where he accused the world of using the United States as a “piggy bank that everybody is robbing.” Photos of the event show contentious interactions between the world leaders, including one in particular from German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s official Instagram account.
Trump claimed that some imported vehicles and parts pose a national security threat. However, for as long as six months he delayed a decision on whether to impose tariffs to allow for more time for trade talks with the European Union and Japan.
Trump has repeatedly called for Russia’s inclusion to the international economic forum, and has said that its removal Russia in 2014 was a mistake Obama made “because he got outsmarted.” Russia was dis-invited from the economic forum after it invaded neighboring Ukraine and annexed Crimea.
After a meeting between Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a senior German official said that Trump had to have basic trade tenets of the EU explained to him 11 times. Trump continued to ask why the US couldn’t have a unilateral trade deal with an EU member. White House officials described the exchange as “humiliating.”
The European Union enters into trade agreements as a single entity. As a result, none of its individual members can enter into unilateral trade agreements.
Merkel and Trump at the White House, March 17, 2017. Reuters / Jonathan Ernst
He made the comments about Crimea, part of Ukraine illegally invaded and annexed in 2014, at the G7. Trump said Russia should be allowed back into the summit, as it had been kicked out because of the invasion.
Trump was referencing a terror attack by ISIS from November 15, 2015 against NATO ally France. He claimed that if there had been less gun control in France and someone was armed, the victims could’ve been saved.
Trump joined other G7 leaders as they walked around Taormina, Sicily. The leaders of Japan, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, and the UK walked the 700 yard from the G7 group photo, taken at a Greek amphitheater, to a piazza on foot while Trump followed in a golf cart. It was also noted that Trump arrived last for the photo while the other six leaders stood waiting for him.
