Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Latest News

The Trump administration has harsh words for Europe. In private, they’re even harsher

The blow-by-blow of an American military strike on Yemeni Houthis, inadvertently shared with a journalist from The Atlantic on a public messaging app, has given the world a remarkable glimpse into the thinking of the people directing US foreign policy.

But one exchange was stunning not because it revealed something new — but because it didn’t.

Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other high-ranking members of the Trump administration spoke with palpable fury about Europe.

Their sentiment was so strong that Vance suggested halting an attack on the Houthis, who had disrupted key international shipping routes for months, because it would help European economies more than it would America’s.

“I think we are making a mistake,” Vance wrote. “3 percent of US trade runs through the suez. 40 percent of European trade does.” He was referring to the Suez Canal, a vital sliver of ocean upon which much of the global economy depends.

“I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now,” Vance added. Then, later in the exchange, he wrote: “I just hate bailing Europe out again.”

Hegseth argued in favor of the strike, but told Vance: “I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s PATHETIC.”

Finally, a compromise emerged: the US would go ahead with the strikes, but it would invoice the Europeans. “Per the president’s request we are working with DOD and State to determine how to compile the cost associated and levy them on the Europeans,” wrote national security adviser Michael Waltz.

The dialogue chimes with the jarringly confrontational tone Trump’s team has taken towards Europe, particularly on contributions to NATO and on the war in Ukraine, which have sparked a race on the continent to shore up its own military readiness.

Vance has led that charge, but others have readily backed him up. In an interview published Saturday, the White House’s foreign envoy told podcaster Tucker Carlson that “Europe is dysfunctional today.” He added an another point: “Europe is dying, unfortunately.”

There were few officials on the continent who still clung to the belief that the rhetoric was tough love, intended to help Europe stand on its own two feet.

But the messages make it clear, in black and white, in case there were any room for doubt: Trump’s inner circle shares a visceral disdain for European reliance on the US. It isn’t merely posture: Vance, especially, is fed up.

It will rankle European capitals. Britain and the Netherlands joined the Biden administration in striking Houthi targets last year, and London provided air-to-air refuelling support for the very strikes that were discussed in the Signal group.

The leak will also heighten concerns on the continent about Vance’s seemingly prominent voice in foreign policy discussions. The messages underline his deep-seated frustration with what he views as scrounging, but which Europe sees as a mutually beneficial arrangement that allows intelligence, military support and security cooperation to flow both ways.

But while the leak was embarrassing for the White House, the ideologies it revealed were consistent with its public tone.

The messages are “another wake up call for a real European Defence,” former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt wrote on X. “When will EU leaders act?”

This post appeared first on cnn.com







    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.



    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    You May Also Like

    Latest News

    Not since LeBron James was drafted 20 years ago has there been this much excitement about an NBA prospect – as shown by the...

    Latest News

    Here’s a look at the life of Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines. Wife of the late Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled...

    Editor's Pick

    IoT Analytics published the Q1/2023 update of their “Global Cellular IoT Module and Chipset Market Tracker & Forecast” – an interactive dashboard and structured...

    Economy

    This year marks the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. On August 6th, 1945 “Fat Man” instantly killed 80,000 of...

    Disclaimer: Boostyoursavings.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.


    Copyright © 2024 Boostyoursavings.com