Donald Trump complains about NATO and trade deals on return from France

By Gabriella Muñoz - The Washington Times - Monday, November 12, 2018

President Trump complained Monday about military and trade deals with allied nations.

“Never easy bringing up the fact that the U.S. must be treated fairly, which it hasn’t, on both Military and Trade,” the president tweeted. “It is time that these very rich countries either pay the United States for its great military protection or protect themselves…and Trade must be made FREE and FAIR!”

The president comments came as he returned from France, where he met with several world leaders as they gathered to honor World War I veterans.

Mr. Trump also explicitly called out the host country upon landing in France, saying it was insulting French President Emanuel Macron included the U.S. on a list of enemies it needed to defend itself from.

President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the U.S., China and Russia. Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the U.S. subsidizes greatly!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2018

Mr. Macron did not respond directly to the president’s complaint when they met on Friday but stressed his commitment to improving the burden sharing in NATO.

Just returned from France where much was accomplished in my meetings with World Leaders. Never easy bringing up the fact that the U.S. must be treated fairly, which it hasn’t, on both Military and Trade. We pay for LARGE portions of other countries military protection,……..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2018

…..hundreds of billions of dollars, for the great privilege of losing hundreds of billions of dollars with these same countries on trade. I told them that this situation cannot continue - It is, and always has been, ridiculously unfair to the United States. Massive amounts…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2018

…..of money spent on protecting other countries, and we get nothing but Trade Deficits and Losses. It is time that these very rich countries either pay the United States for its great military protection, or protect themselves…and Trade must be made FREE and FAIR!