Von der Leyen Refuses to Pay — Trump Fires Back, Europe in Panic ! (Insight Forum – One month ago)
ME – I don’t normally comment in advance — I’ve just found this video this morning — it struck me as being formatted in ASIAN GUY style, however, spot checks of the information contained MATCHES with individual public announcements found via google searches. It reviews a meeting that I’ve not heard mentioned (either MSM or Alt media) — it documents committed US actions and timelines (3Q/26) that EVERY INVESTOR frankly needs to understand. There have been no press releases or angry sound bites on TV — it’s 15 minutes — I recommend watching it.
Then — lets work together here at the tent — pick one of the data points mentioned that interests you and see if you can find it confirmed elsewhere. Then post your results in the comments. Let us collectively do due diligence the info in this video.
If it is proven accurate — imo — the EU is f***ed!
Caveat — We’ve watched Trump’s negotiating style — demand everything and then settle on what he really wants — perhaps this was another negotiation tactic – but it doesn’t feel like it — still the most effective negotiation is when the buyer makes the seller think they will walk away!
If this IS the US position on EU — what is being planned for Canada & Greenland??
Is this the “INSIGHT FORUM” that published this video — https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/markets/markets-news/GlobeNewswire/26166360/digital-journal-sets-sights-on-becoming-canadas-premier-thought-leadership-platform-with-launch-of-insight-forum/
First point — 7:50ish in video — increase tariffs on European Automobiles within 30 days to 60%
Due Diligence via google:
Trump says he’ll raise EU auto tariffs to 25% next week over trade dispute — https://globalnews.ca/news/11825992/donald-trump-tariffs-europe-autos/
Trump says will raise US tariffs on EU cars, trucks to 25% – https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260501-trump-says-will-raise-us-tariffs-on-eu-cars-trucks-to-25
ACCURACY
Video says he will raise tariffs on EU automobiles — confirmed as announced
Video says tariff will be @ 60% — today’s announcment is at 25%
Timeframe was met = 30 days
CONCLUSION
Video is accurate although final % is lower — it’s been 30 days since meeting — “possible aim high and settle for what you wanted in first place???”
I confirm that this is the worst video effect ever….yes, tariffs just announced.
https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2050241940638089398
This reads like Pool.
I’m going to jump the gun on Fully. WOW.
The vid …. ZERO COMMENTS. How?
As you said … there’s a finality here that I don’t yet see confirmed in the public realm.
Its both interpretive .. but this is also not something you can post without being there.
Nor can you divulge what this amounts to, since they are state secrets. National Security. Top Classifications.
You can guess and frame it as a plausible but fictional scenario. That’s now how it ‘reads.’
But the timelines are on the way and will resolve the question before long.
MY BIGGER QUESTION. WHY? Its one thing to take down the Banksters and City of London and their perennial wars. Its another to hobble a major trading partner. (Like Canada also).
Last man standing CANNOT stand alone for too long, on their own.
Smoot Hawley made that clear.
No nation is an island.
Maybe … just more steps toward clearing the decks for whatever has already been planned to come NEXT.
????
I did read separately that the US is looking at reducing military headcount in Germany.
AI Overview
As of May 2026, President Donald Trump is reviewing a potential reduction of the ~36,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany. The threat follows tensions with Chancellor Friedrich Merz over defense spending and foreign policy. While touted as a shift in military posture, significant logistics, costs, and NATO commitments make a rapid withdrawal challenging. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Aspects of the Potential Troop Reduction:
• Current Presence: Germany hosts about 36,436 active-duty U.S. personnel. Key sites include Ramstein Air Base (air operations), Stuttgart (U.S. European and Africa Command headquarters), and Landstuhl Medical Center.
• Reasons for Threat: Trump has cited dissatisfaction with Germany’s military expenditure (despite recent German plans to increase spending) and criticized German leadership during disputes regarding Iran.
• Obstacles to Reduction: Moving troops and equipment back to the U.S. is expensive and faces a lack of immediate housing infrastructure.
• Congressional/Pentagon Reaction: Previous threats to withdraw forces have met with caution from U.S. lawmakers, and the Pentagon views the bases as critical to global logistics.
• German Response: Germany has stated it is “prepared” for a potential drawdown but continues to trust in the long-term transatlantic alliance. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]
In response to the tension, Germany has signaled plans to significantly increase its defense budget—by 28% to €105.8 billion—aiming to build the strongest conventional military force in Europe, as stated in this report. [1]
Trump Pulling 5,000 US Troops From Germany In Punitive Move Amid Merz Spat
In a huge late in the day Friday development, the Trump administration plans to pull some 5,000 troops from NATO member Germany, CBS is reporting. Citing senior defense officials, the Pentagon expects the troop draw down will happen over a six to twelve month period, Reuters has also separately reported, in what clearly appears a punitive measure aimed at Berlin by the Trump White House.
Over several years, and stretching back decades, the US has maintained the most number of troops on the European continent in Germany – currently estimated at over 36,000 active duty personnel. So the 5,000 – while significant – is still somewhat of a symbolic move and number.
The announcement via US reporting comes just a day after Trump again lambasted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz:
“The Chancellor of Germany should spend more time on ending the war with Russia/Ukraine (Where he has been totally ineffective!), and fixing his broken Country, especially Immigration and Energy, and less time on interfering with those that are getting rid of the Iran Nuclear threat, thereby making the World, including Germany, a safer place!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/trump-pulling-5000-us-troops-germany-punitive-move-amid-merz-spat
GOOD WORK K2