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Europe
Trump @ breakfast with Stoltenberg:
2018-07-11
[twitter]


Posted by:3dc

#12  I judge Germany by its willingness to deal with Russia and Iran, and find them feckless.

Seriously, what would the world lose if Germany was to collapse from a five month gas embargo?
Posted by: Regular joe   2018-07-11 21:43  

#11  
Posted by: Anomalous Sources   2018-07-11 19:38  

#10  Meh, Merkel misses her childhood home and snitching on neighbors.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2018-07-11 18:29  

#9  You're welcome :-)
Btw I'm indeed pushing for more energy imports from the U.S. Diversification is key.
Posted by: European Conservative   2018-07-11 16:10  

#8  Again, and as always, thanks for your regional expertise and perspectives. I have not had the pleasure of visiting Germany in many years, so the updates are appreciated.
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-07-11 15:59  

#7  Besoeker

For Russia, Germany is more important as a trading partner than the other way around. Of all German imports, only three percent came from Russia in 2017 - and only two percent of exports go to Russia. For Russia, Germany in 2017 was the second most important partner after China, accounting for 8.6 percent of their total foreign trade. And more than two thirds of Russian exports to Germany were natural gas, oil and coal.

So frankly, no Russian control. And say what you will about Merkel, she has no illusions about Putin.
Posted by: European Conservative   2018-07-11 15:38  

#6  Thanks EC, your perspective is reassuring. All we have to go on here are previous regional alliances, Frau Merkel's performance and a continuous stream of what appears to be, negative reporting. Please keep us posted.
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-07-11 15:18  

#5  "Germany is totally controlled by Russia"

Sorry, that's total BS and not backed up by any numbers.
Current energy imports from Russia (natural gas, oil and coal) is 25% of Germany's total energy consumption. Coal and oil can easily be bough elsewhere if Russia acts up.

Germany imports 38% of its natural gas from Russia. The new pipeline isn't going to add much as Germany actually seeks to diversify its gas imports.

According to a simulation by the Energy Economics Institute at the University of Cologne, Germany could survive a total Russian gas embargo for at least five months without supply bottlenecks thanks to many storage facilities and improved intra-European connections.

So it would be difficult for the Russians to take Germany hostage. And of course they have zero reasons to try.
Posted by: European Conservative   2018-07-11 15:10  

#4  if Germany allows Lufthansa (and its subsidiary in Austria) to continue its flights to Iran.

A modern day 'Condor Legion.' Who knew ?
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-07-11 08:11  

#3  Germany is following the Russian lead in its relationship with Iran. America's conflict with Germany will reach a boiling point if Germany allows Lufthansa (and its subsidiary in Austria) to continue its flights to Iran.
Posted by: Clurong Peacock9529   2018-07-11 08:04  

#2  CNBC - Trump launches tirade at NATO summit: 'Germany is totally controlled by Russia'
Posted by: Besoeker   2018-07-11 06:16  

#1  
Posted by: 3dc   2018-07-11 06:07  

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