And President Trump isn't done with Good ole DK yet:
Donald J. Trump
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@realDonaldTrump
· 26m
For the record, Denmark is only at 1.35% of GDP for NATO spending. They are a wealthy country and should be at 2%. We protect Europe and yet, only 8 of the 28 NATO countries are at the 2% mark. The United States is at a much, much higher level than that....
Donald J. Trump
✔
@realDonaldTrump
....Because of me, these countries have agreed to pay ONE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS more - but still way short of what they should pay for the incredible military protection provided. Sorry!
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Well, I will grant him that one. (The following is my personal opinion.)
The problem is of course how you count the contribution.
The 1.35 % of the DK GNP is the military expenditure alone.
Other countries include pensions to disabled veterans. Or expenses to run military hospitals.
Another country reached 2 % of it's GNP, because its GNP fell!
But yes, Denmark could and should contribute more - for example by not buying insanely expensive F35 fighters - that we are not even sure works! Cheaper alternatives might work just as well.
Traditionally we have placated US complaints by buying pretty expensive US equipment. And taking part in whatever wars USA has been involved in lately - that is another point where money (and lives) could be saved.
And DK
is spending more money on defense. We have just reactivated a brigade for rapid deployment (to the Baltic) but you need to have the manpower (conscripts) core personnel I.e. NCOs and officers as well as trained specialists, not to mention equipment and barracks to put them.
Calling up 5.000 more men is no problem, equipping and training them, so that they become useful takes time. Otherwise you just have 5.000 conscripts painting stones white, to pass the time.
Ordering 30 new fighters for the US military means jobs in USA. Ordering 30 new fighters from USA is a huge expense. - See the difference?
Another thing is that USA is a global power with worldwide security interests and as such needs a larger military capability in order to do that job. While the vast majority of European countries are mainly interested in defending Europe and as such have a much more regional view of their security interests.
Okay, someone suggested in this thread that USA should leave NATO.
I agree. USA ought to leave NATO. US and European interests are becoming more and more diverse and Europe needs to be able to stand on it's own feet. It would also be better if as far as possible Europe produced its own weapons and equipment. Create jobs in Europe instead.
Few are concerned about Russia. Good grief. Russian hasn't got the economic power to embark in a major war, let alone the capabilities of invading Europe. And why on earth should they? It would be the equivalent of killing the chickens in order to get to the eggs they are sitting on.
There will of course be a long term price for USA in leaving NATO. - There will be very few bases left in Europe after a number of years and a much more reluctant Europe willing to side with USA in future conflicts.
- That was of course a political sidestep by me.
I don't know how long this thread will remain open. Unless something very dramatic happens, this will soon be yesterdays news and forgotten next month.
I said in the beginning of this thread that I looked very much forward to this visit. Being a behind-the-scenes-geek and a nerd in regards to politics, this has surpassed even my wildest expectations!