Paul Ryan Responds to Trump’s NATO Castigation of Nord Stream 2, Defense Spending

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan responded Wednesday to President Trump’s criticism of NATO allies while in Belgium.

Ryan called the United States’ relationship with the 28 members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization “indispensable.” However, he made clear that he agrees with Trump’s opposition to Germany’s gas pipeline deal with Russia and with the President’s contention that countries are not paying their fair share for defense.

So a little of this, a little of that:

“I subscribe to the view that we should not be criticizing our President while he’s overseas.”

but also–

“NATO is indispensable. It is as important today as it ever has been.”

With regard to the pipeline deal, during the meeting, Trump complained:

“I have to say, I think it’s very sad when Germany makes a massive oil and gas deal with Russia, where you’re supposed to be guarding against Russia, and Germany goes out and pays billions and billions of dollars a year to Russia. … With respect to (pipeline) Nord Stream 2, we’ve been bringing that up with our allies as well. … Every time I’ve met with our allies in Europe I’ve raised these same concerns about Nord Steam 2.”

Ryan defended the President’s comments, pointing out that Germany is the largest economy in the Eurpean Union. “Germany should be committing 2 percent to defense like they agreed to in the Wales conference,” he said.

Ryan’s support of both Trump and NATO is no surprise. As for the President’s comments, it’s refreshing to have someone at the helm who isn’t afraid to stand up for the United States’ interests (which is especially good, when we have to deal with countries saying things like this). That should be the job of the Commander-in-Chief, and yet, with Obama, it seemed there was very little of it. Donald Trump is a man who isn’t afraid to go against the grain, even if the grain is sitting at the same table as he. And I, for one, am glad.

(For more on what I like about Trump, please go here.)

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For more stories on Trump’s maneuvers, please see here, here, here, and this potential (political) foul-up.

For something completely different, check out my article on IHOP becoming IHOB.

Or how about my piece on the transgender issue and public education, leading to the firing of a teacher?

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