Trump Defends Himself Against Criticism He Doesn’t Respect Allies: They ‘Take Advantage’ of Us
President Donald Trump wants his critics in the Senate to know he can be good friend. But not when he thinks he’s getting played.
In a Monday morning tweet, the president addressed those skeptics in the upper chamber of Congress (without mentioning them by name) — saying that he believes “many” U.S. allies (who also went unidentified) are exploiting their good will with America to cut favorable trade deals.
“To those few Senators who think I don’t like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO,” Trump wrote. “What I don’t like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade.
To those few Senators who think I don’t like or appreciate being allied with other countries, they are wrong, I DO. What I don’t like, however, is when many of these same countries take advantage of their friendship with the United States, both in Military Protection and Trade…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018
Trump elaborated in a subsequent message.
“We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade,” the president wrote.
The president tied his comments to U.S. troop pullouts in Syria and Afghanistan, and his falling out with departing Defense Secretary James Mattis.
“General Mattis did not see this as a problem,” Trump said. “I DO, and it is being fixed!”
….We are substantially subsidizing the Militaries of many VERY rich countries all over the world, while at the same time these countries take total advantage of the U.S., and our TAXPAYERS, on Trade. General Mattis did not see this as a problem. I DO, and it is being fixed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
