Trump Insists He’s “Making America Great.” Angela Merkel’s Response Is Perfect
President Trump has faced harsh criticism here at home for his handling of the North Korean Missile Crisis that erupted earlier this month. Leaders of both parties have admonished his public statements and tweets following the release of a U.S. intelligence report assessing that North Korean Dictator Kim Jong Un had acquired all the technology needed to reach the American mainland with a nuclear tipped ballistic missile.
Rather than take the high road, Trump’s rhetoric quickly descended into vulgarities and petty threats uncharacteristic and unbecoming of an American president. His ‘fire and fury’ comment, among others, served to heighten tensions with the reclusive, notoriously hot-tempered regime, not lessen them.
Reactions from abroad have been equally critical, as allies and adversaries alike have been quite public about voicing their displeasure. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, never shy about speaking her mind, had remained mostly quiet on the North Korea crisis. Until now.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday at an event organized by Germany’s Handelsblatt newspaper, Chancellor Merkel didn’t hold back, hitting Trump where it hurts him most: smack dab in the middle of his ego.
“An America that does not care about the rest of the world and just thinks about itself does not make for a big and great country,” she said.
Ouch. In other words, Trump’s policies don’t make America “great.” On the international stage, according to Chancellor Merkel, they will make us inconsequential.
Specifically on North Korea, she condemned the President’s rhetoric as well, and cautioned against a rush to solve the crisis militarily.
“I do not agree that all diplomatic means have been exhausted,” she said, adding that Germany would “not automatically” support a military solution should President Trump decid to pursue one.
