A British reporter asked Mike Pence a question that is likely on the minds of leaders around the world. Pence did not answer but instead went into an incoherent ramble. But the NATO Secretary General’s answer should tell Trump supporters his words to them are empty.
Mike Pence punts
Every European country and for that matter, every country around the world wants an answer to the question, ‘Do we believe Trump’s tweets, his statements on the trail, or the measured words of his advisors. Jens Stoltenberg may have cleared that up at the press conference in Brussels.
“Vice President, you’ve given your assurances today here in Brussels to European leaders that the U.S. is committed to working with Europe,” a British reporter said. “President Trump has said very different things. He said that the EU is a vehicle for Germany, that the UK was smart to get out of the expected other countries to follow. Who should European leaders listen to, you or President Trump? Can they be certain that what you say, the assurances you give won’t be contradicted in a tweet or a statement at a press conference tomorrow? And Secretary General, who do you listen to and are you concerned about differences in what you hear?”
Mike Pence’s answer was rambling. He never responded to the core of the question.
“Thank you for the question,” Pence started. “Let me say it was my great privilege to serve as Vice President for the 45th President of the United States. And the President directed me to go to Munich and come here to Brussels with a very specific message. Go to Munich to the Munich Security Conference and make it very clear as I do so again today here at NATO’s headquarters. The United States is expressing strong support for NATO even as we challenge NATO and challenge our allies to evolve to the new and widening challenges and further meet their responsibilities in this ever changing, ever complicated world of threats. With regards to the EU, the President also directed me to come here to Brussels. And I had the great privilege of meeting with leaders of the European Union throughout the morning and to express the desire of the United States to continue cooperation and partnership with the European Union. We respect the determination of the people of Great Britain as manifested in Brexit and we respect the judgment of the people of Europe in the European Union. And as I said today to the European leaders, we look forward to working across the Channel with all parties in years ahead on behalf of peace and prosperity.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg answered the core of the question.
“I have heard exactly the same firm message from the President of the United States in two phone calls,” the Secretary-General said. “from the Vice President in meetings today and in Munich and from Secretary Mathis, Tillerson, and Kelly. They have all conveyed the same message, that the United States is firmly committed to the Trans-Atlantic Partnership and have an unwavering support for the NATO alliance. And I welcome that very much. Both the very clear statements from all the leaders in the new administration but also the fact that this is not only something we see in words but we also see it in deeds. For the first time in many years, we see an increase of U.S. military presence in Europe. And we are deploying new battle groups. The U.S. is deploying a new brigade. And we see on the ground more U.S. presence in Europe. So this is a commitment in words but also in deeds.”
In other words, disregard all the tweets and messages Trump have been sending to his supporters of isolationism and faux patriotism. Note the Secretary General’s appeasement to Trump by a backhand attack on President Obama about Trump’s military buildup in Europe when he said, “For the first time in many years, we see an increase of U.S. military presence in Europe.” Trump will continue feeding the defense industrial complex by investing more in Europe and forcing Europe to increase their military spending. It has nothing to do with America first.
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