German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses the opening speech of the 56th Munich Safety Convention in Munich, southern Germany, on February 14, 2020.
Christof Stache | AFP | Getty Pictures
MUNICH — Germany’s president kicked off the annual Munich Safety Convention on Friday by taking a swipe at President Donald Trump’s “America First” overseas coverage strategy.
In his opening remarks, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that the US would put its personal pursuits first on the expense of allies.
“Our closest ally, the US of America, beneath the present administration, rejects the very idea of the worldwide group,” he mentioned. “‘Nice once more’ however on the expense of neighbors and companions,” Steinmeier added with out naming Trump however referring to his “Make America Nice Once more” marketing campaign slogan.
“Pondering and performing this fashion hurts us all,” he mentioned.
Attending Steinmeier’s speech, delivered on the 56th Munich Safety Convention, have been Secretary of Protection Mark Esper, Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Lindsey Graham and Rep. Adam Schiff together with different representatives, making it the biggest U.S. delegation to attend the discussion board.
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Steinmeier additionally accused Russia and China of amplifying world insecurity in pursuit of “nice energy” competitors.
“On this situation, the safety of 1 is the insecurity of others,” he mentioned, including that European leaders should create a unified coverage to cope with growing threats posed by Russia and China.
The previous German overseas minister additionally positioned emphasis on the significance of NATO, the world’s strongest navy alliance, which has been steadily dressed down by Trump.
In December, Trump reiterated on the NATO leaders assembly that too many members have been nonetheless not paying sufficient and threatened to cut back U.S. navy assist if allies don’t enhance spending.
On the assembly in London, Trump singled out German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not assembly the two% of GDP spending objective set within the 2014 NATO summit in Wales.
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“So we’re paying 4[%] to 4.3% when Germany’s paying 1[%] to 1.2% at max 1.2% of a a lot smaller GDP. That is not honest,” Trump mentioned on the time.
Germany is just one of 19 NATO members that haven’t met the two% GDP spending objective set on the 2014 summit.
Steinmeier mentioned that whereas Germany ought to proceed to lift its protection spending, it shouldn’t be “the be-all end-all for our safety.”
Correction: This text has been corrected to precisely mirror the names of the U.S. officers who have been current at Steinmeier’s speech.
