Nato

[Keith Tindell]

I do not agree with most of what Donald Trump has to say, but on the above subject i fully agree with him. Of the 28 members of NATO, only five contribute the agreed amount , that agreed amount is 2% of GDP, and the 5 countries are USA, GB, Greece, Estonia and Poland. ALL the rest ride piggy back on the five. So much for the united EU, until it suits them, then they fragment off into their own interests. As this is obviously political, not sure if it will be allowed, kt

[Jim Brady]

I'm surprised that Germany and France are none payers Keith on your list.Did Trump say at one time that those that do not pay should not get the protection of NATO.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Keith Tindell]

Hi Jim, they do pay Jim, but not the agreed amount of 2% of GDP, and as you will see from the list, the Germans are well short. This list was published in 2017, but would think little has changed. No wonder the Yanks are getting stroppy, kt



Only 5 of 28 NATO countries are paying agreed-upon amount on defense - Business Insider

[Jim Brady]

Yes Keith some of those countries who fall well short of the mark should be brought into line.It is no wonder the Donald is annoyed.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[vic mcclymont]

It's time France and Germany honoured their commitments to NATO, for so long now they have been didging the issue.
The same two countries are the ones demanding the UK honours it's commitments by paying into the EU black hole for a number of years after we leave.
Cynical or what?
Vic

[Samuel Denton]

Yes I can understand the USA getting sick about other nations not chipping in what they have agreed to pay, but certainly no disrespect to Greece or the Greek people but 2% of GDP from Greece would workout at about €15,000 which they would have had to borrow from the Germans in the first place.
Seriously though there are a lot of so called wealthy nations in the NATO who are seriously dodging the bullet Germany, France & Canada, Turkey. They should be ashamed of themselves. But are the Germans & French not trying to create a super powerful EU army anyway ? Cannot stand Trump but will give him this he did get elected on the basis of America first.
Funny how Trump had a rant about Russia not being a member of the G7 and he said they should be. Maybe the Russians are threatening to expose him for meetings that some of his family members had with high level Russian officials during the presidential election campaign? politicians !!!! you could never trust a one.

[Red Lead Ted]

Love him or hate him Trump doesn't send out empty messages, If he tells anyone to tow the line, You tow the line or suffer the consequences, The guy is gaining popularity in the USA and i like a few things he promised and so far has carried out that was in his election manifest, Who else would be having a word in Mr Pastry's ear in Korea at the moment. He even has Putin on the ropes at present, Good on him.

[happy daze john in oz]

Like him or not Trump has a valid point about NATO.
Then there is the matter of the UN.
A security council where one can veto any proposal, an unproductive way to operate.

But he has secured a meeting with Rocket man and according to a press release it has been a very productive meeting.
One that Obama could have had but Piked at the last minute.

It is of little interest at this juncture what will happen now, the main fact is that dialogue has begun and if this in some small way goes to further secure world peace then Trump has done well.

Putin in the news here today has hinted he would also consider a face to face with Trump.

It may well be like the domino effect, one falls in line and they all want to follow.

[Red Lead Ted]

John, Whatever happens next at least he has started some rhetoric between each other it was only months ago when Jun Yung was firing rockets over Japanese soil, So give Trump a bit of credit he could if he wanted wiped out not only North Korea but half the peninsula with it. He has achieved more for his Nation in a few months moving towards world peace than any other U.S. President has in the past. Yes he has the clout but he has chose to enter into the first round of peace talks by having an eyeball with the rocket man. Would Obama or any other president have pulled this off i very much doubt it. This can only be good news for the world and to be honest the guy is growing on me and i have more respect for his tack than any other U.S. President.

[Samuel Denton]

A cloud on the horizion ??? will China be 100% happy? But if it stabilises the region has to be a good thing all round.