German foreign minister: Trump has weakened the West

Germany’s foreign minister on Monday said that President Trump’s actions have weakened the West.

“Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk,” Sigmar Gabriel said, according to CNN. 

“The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union. The West has become smaller. At least, it has become weaker.”

{mosads}Gabriel also called on Europe to stand up to the Trump administration, arguing that the continent’s refugee crisis could escalate.

“If the Europeans are not resolutely opposing this right now, the migration flow to Europe will continue to grow,” he said at a discussion on migration and refugees in Berlin. “Those who do not oppose this U.S. policy are guilty.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday said that Germany could no longer “completely depend” on the U.S.

“The times in which we could completely depend on others are on the way out,” she said at a campaign rally in Munich.

“I’ve experienced that in the last few days. [Europeans] must really take our destiny into our own hands.”

Trump last Saturday refused to participate in a pledge with his Group of 7 counterparts supporting the 195-nation Paris climate agreement.

The president last week also scolded NATO members for not paying their fair share on defense during a ceremony at the alliance’s new headquarters in Brussels.

“NATO members must finally contribute their fair share and meet their financial obligations,” he said as other leaders listened from the sidelines.