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You feel that I do not understand and I feel that you are not listening.
You say that our relationship has been irreparably damaged by trump‘s threats and insults. I would say that our relationship has been deteriorating a while now. Trump's "threats and insults" are not the cause of that damage, they are the effect of a relationship that was already critically damaged.
Europe, or rather Europe's leadership chose to cozy up to Russia and China while taking American friendship for granted, and they laughed at us when we tried to warn them of the dangers. Europe has flat-out told us on multiple occasions that they do not view us as friends and allies but as an economic resource. Recall that back in 2020 when when Congress was talking about closing US bases in Germany, the German government objected on the grounds that it would disrupt the local economies of cities like Rammstein and Stuttgart, not on grounds of security.
As a result, there is sincere doubt within the US about Europe's value as an ally. If Chinese missiles started raining down on US cities tomorrow would Europe cut themselves off from Chinese trade? If the last 5 years are any indication, the answer would appear to be no. Even if Europe were in a position to offer aid to the US in such circumstances (which is what all this talk about NATO readiness is really about) would there be the inclination? Again, if the last 5 years are any indication, the answer would appear to be no.
On China: You are right to doubt our commitment. Everything else aside, Trump‘s and his supporters‘ comments reek of hubris, jingoism and imperial sickness. And the last thing europe needs is to get sucked into a huge war against a formidable enemy like china because of american pride. So from a european perspective, the alliance is doing less and less for us, and the probability that it could cost us catastrophically keeps increasing.
Americans want a level of compensation (delian tribute, really) we‘re never going to give – because it‘s not like we‘d fall to russian conquest if you just leave ; post WWII yes, but the wolf isn‘t at the door anymore. A chihuaha perhaps, or a wounded pygmy bear – and a panda, but they‘re vegetarian, as far as we know.
Anyway, the question of „who was a bad ally first“ is all rear-view mirror stuff. Whoever „started the breakup“ is irrelevant, we agree the relationship is bad now, so let‘s just end it.
Then why is the entire European establishment apoplectic at the mere thought of Trump cutting support for Ukraine? Why is the argument against appeasement that Putin will just keep pushing west? If Russia is just a chihuahua, Europe should be able to handle the situation all on it's own.
Trump already did cut support for Ukraine?
Yes, europe will be able to handle russia on its own, easy. The politicians are largely dickless and slow to adapt to the new reality, starting with merz. But I think another, already pre-programmed, humiliating session of trump's retarded ideas and insults should do it. You could see european politicians' heads slowly emerging from the sand at Davos, before Trump backed down and Rutte kissed his ass again.
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