Europe accused of unfair gains from US alliances and aid
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth accused Europe of "leeching" off US efforts in a conversation with other officials. Donald Trump agreed with him, stating, "The European Union's been absolutely terrible to us on trade."
During a conversation on Signal, which leaked to the media, Vice President J.D. Vance expressed that he "hates saving Europe." This was regarding the strike on Houthi rebels who were attacking commercial ships passing through the Suez Canal. These ships were primarily headed to Europe.
"I fully share your loathing of European free-loading," replied Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.
Trump: the European Union has been terrible to us
During a meeting with US ambassador candidates, Trump was asked if he agreed with Hegseth's assessment of Europe.
"You really want me to answer?" Trump asked. "Yeah I think they've been freeloading. The European Union's been absolutely terrible to us on trade. And as you know NATO, I got them to pay hundreds of billions of dollars, they were way behind," he said.
He also accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of the United States investing more in the Ukraine conflict than Europe, which is not true. Trump again mentioned the supposed $350 (CAD 500) billion, although both Ukrainian authorities and American experts point out that such an amount did not flow to Kyiv in any way.
"I don't blame NATO for this, I don't blame Europe for this, I blame Biden for the fact that he didn't make them equalise, and to this day I said to them 'you got to catch up you got to equalise'," Trump said.
Will they lift the sanctions on Russia? Trump: we're looking into it
Trump was also asked about Russian conditions regarding a ceasefire in the Black Sea. The Kremlin wants, among other things, sanctions lifted.
Trump stated that all the conditions—around five or six in total—are currently under consideration and being thoroughly reviewed
