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Unset's avatar

I don't read his remarks as indicating he views Europe as the enemy.

“3 percent of U.S. trade runs through the Suez,” Vance cautioned. “40 percent of European trade does. There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary … I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now.”

To me, this is completely consistent with the point he hammers home over and over again - that Europe is wealthy enough to pay for its own defense. They need to at the very least take the lead on their own security concerns.

That said, it is quite possible that he hates the oikophobic, technocratic European ruling class which has flooded their homelands with tens of millions of Muslims. I certainly do!

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Denyse Whillier's avatar

I'm writing from Britain where we're well aware of the hostility of the administration - and especially of Vance - toward Europe. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference was not interpreted as blunt but ultimately well-intentioned advice towards a wayward friend. Along with Musk's interventions, it was seen as a direct attempt to interfere in the German election (and therefore strike at the heart of Europe).

I also don't recognise your comments about free speech. I don't feel that my free speech is in any way curtailed in Europe. BUT I do with the US. Having expressing strong anti-Trump views, I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised if I didn't make it into the country. Which is why all future trips to North America will be to Canada until such time as the US is a reliable ally again!

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