Quote Originally Posted by baggieal View Post
Surely Omeg if NATO countries committed the same percentage of their GDP as the USA then the USA would do more! One of the biggest culprits of purchasing cheap Russian oil is India who the USA have just slapped a 25% tariff on them due to this. Is the lettuce the Tool Makers Son going to abort the U.K./India trade deal signed in July? If I was the US - I would be asking well we have imposed a huge tariff but are you going to abort your trade deal. Surely these things work two ways?

For the U.K. to immediately come on par to the USA and Poland?s contribution they need to stop throwing money at foreign aid and illegals! for a start, Taxes will rise in Autumn to those already struggling like hell so what do you think these folk will think when endless pots of money is being wasted elsewhere? What about our homeless - are they being put up in comfy hotels and having three meals a day! Fairs fair in life!
That's the thing Al, even if more NATO countries did raise the percentage of their GDP committed to the alliance (which is tricky enough to do quickly as the money is already accounted for elsewhere in their current budget plans) would Trump then change his tune and back them against Putin or would he leave them to go it alone ? I really don't know.

As for Western economic sanctions, Russia has weathered the initial impact of these and turned elsewhere to both its partners in BRICS and beyond which seems to be working. India has been trying to play both sides so whilst I don't disagree with the higher tariffs set by Trump as a punishment I'm not sure how much it will really help dissuade Modi from buying Russian oil given India's need for it. Considering the nature of trade between India and the US, I also don't know how long Trump will be prepared to continue with a 25% tariff anyway as this will inevitably also hit US companies.