Donald Trump acted like 'a drunk tourist' on Europe trip that led Angela Merkel to proclaim end of US alliance
Donald Trump was like a “drunk tourist” on his first trip abroad, which saw awkward handshakes with the French President, shoving the Prime Minister of Montenegro and causing German Chancellor Angela Merkel to declare the end of the US alliance with Europe.
A US State Department official blasted the “arrogance” of the President as he flew from Saudi Arabia and Israel to Europe last week.
“When it comes to diplomacy, President Trump is a drunk tourist,” the unnamed official told The Daily Beast.
“Loud and tacky, shoving his way around the dance floor. He steps on others without realising it. It’s ineffectual.”
Most concerning was Mr Trump’s vow to make a final decision on the Paris climate change agreement “next week” – a measure which 195 nations have already agreed upon before his election.
He was accused of undermining the international diplomacy when he took a tougher stance on the G7 than on Saudi Arabia, where he made no mention of human rights violations in Yemen and was feted with lavish ceremonies and received the highest civilian honour.
In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour
In pictures: President Donald Trump on tour
1/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh
Getty Images
2/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh
Getty Images
3/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
EPA
4/39 20 May 2017
King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
EPA
5/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
6/39 20 May 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
7/39 21 May 2017
Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem
Reuters
8/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
9/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding
Reuters
10/39 21 May 2017
First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh
Getty Images
11/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
AP
12/39 22 May 2017
Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel
Getty Images
13/39 22 May 2017
First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel
Getty Images
14/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport
AP
15/39 22 May 2017
Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel
AP
16/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel
Reuters
17/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport
AP
18/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel
EPA
19/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv
AP
20/39 22 May 2017
US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport
Reuters
21/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv
Getty Images
22/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem
Getty Images
23/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem
Getty Images
24/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City
Reuters
25/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City
Getty Images
26/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
Reuters
27/39 22 May 2017
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem
Reuters
28/39 22 May 2017
US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
EPA
29/39 22 May 2017
Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
EPA
30/39 22 May 2017
President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall
AP
31/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City
EPA
32/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican
AP
33/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican
Getty Images
34/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican
Reuters
35/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump
EPA
36/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump
AP
37/39 24 May 2017
President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP
38/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy
Reuters
39/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport
AP
1/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arriving for a reception ahead of a banquet at Murabba Palace in Riyadh
Getty Images
2/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, and Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud being welcomed at Murabba Palace in Riyadh
Getty Images
3/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump with King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during a welcome ceremony with traditional sword dancers at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
EPA
4/39 20 May 2017
King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud with US President Donald J. Trump and wife Melania during a welcome ceremony at Murabba Palace, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
EPA
5/39 20 May 2017
US President Donald Trump adjusts the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal, after it was bestowed upon him by Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
6/39 20 May 2017
Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud presents U.S. President Donald Trump with the Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud Medal at the Royal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
7/39 21 May 2017
Palestinians print posters depicting US President Donald Trump in preparations for his planned visit, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem
Reuters
8/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband White House senior advisor Jared Kushner, before delivering his remarks to the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Reuters
9/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump looks on as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef exchange a memorandum of understanding
Reuters
10/39 21 May 2017
First Lady Melania Trump shares a laugh with a child during a visit to the American International School in the Saudi capital Riyadh
Getty Images
11/39 21 May 2017
US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
AP
12/39 22 May 2017
Israeli soldiers rest during preparations ahead of President Trump's landing in Tel Aviv, Israel
Getty Images
13/39 22 May 2017
First Lady Melania Trump makes her way to board Air Force One in Riyadh as she heads with her husband the US President to Israel
Getty Images
14/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One for Israel, the next stop in Trump's international tour, at King Khalid International Airport
AP
15/39 22 May 2017
Israeli soldiers wait for the arrival ceremony of US President Donald Trump at Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel
AP
16/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive aboard Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod near Tel Aviv, Israel
Reuters
17/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One on arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport
AP
18/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump and his wife, US First Lady Melania Trump are welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, in Lod outside Tel Aviv, Israel
EPA
19/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit during welcome ceremony in Tel Aviv
AP
20/39 22 May 2017
US First Lady Melania Trump chats wife Sara Netanyahu as US President Donald Trump chats to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a welcoming ceremony to welcome Trump at Ben Gurion International Airport
Reuters
21/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump delivers a speech upon his arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv
Getty Images
22/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump gestures during a press conference with Israel's President at the President's Residence in Jerusalem
Getty Images
23/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump watches as First Lady Melania Trump signs the guest book at the President's Residence in Jerusalem
Getty Images
24/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump walks with first lady Melania Trump in Jerusalem's Old City
Reuters
25/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in Jerusalems Old City
Getty Images
26/39 22 May 2017
US President Donald Trump stands next to Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz at the plaza in front of the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
Reuters
27/39 22 May 2017
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and White House senior advisor Jared Kushner leave notes at the Western Wall in Jerusalem
Reuters
28/39 22 May 2017
US First Lady Melania Trump touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
EPA
29/39 22 May 2017
Ivanka Trump, assistant and daughter of US President Donald J. Trump, touches the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest prayer site, in Jerusalem's Old City
EPA
30/39 22 May 2017
President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall
AP
31/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald J. Trump arrives in a vehicle to Saint Damaso's Court for a private audience with Pope Francis in Vatican City
EPA
32/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis walks past Ivanka Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on the occasion of the private audience with President Donald Trump, at the Vatican
AP
33/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with US President Donald Trump during a private audience at the Vatican
Getty Images
34/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis meets US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania during a private audience at the Vatican
Reuters
35/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis with US President Donald J. Trump
EPA
36/39 24 May 2017
Pope Francis gets into is car after meeting with US President Donald Trump
AP
37/39 24 May 2017
President Donald Trump and his wife Melania look at the frescoed ceilings during their visit to the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican
L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP
38/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald Trump security vehicles are seen in front of Air Force One before take off from Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy
Reuters
39/39 24 May 2017
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump wave to reporters before boarding the Air Force One to Brussels, at the end of a 2-day visit to Italy including a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, at Rome's Fiumicino international airport
AP
At a ceremony to celebrate Nato member nations' strength after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Mr Trump said Germany was “bad, very bad” for its trade surplus and told off the 28 countries for “not paying what they should be paying”. He also refused to commit to upholding Article 5 of the Nato Treaty, and did not utter the words “all for one, one for all”.
Mr Trump flew back to the US with a $100 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia and tweeted, “Just returned from Europe. Trip was a great success for America. Hard work but big results!”
Donald Trump claims his first foreign trip has been a success. His body language tells otherwise
His trip led French leader Emmanuel Macron, with whom Mr Trump was seen gripping hands and gritting teeth, to announce that the handshake with the President was “not innocent”.
Ms Merkel declared to a crowd in Bavaria that Europe’s ability to rely on the US was “over, to a certain extent. This is what I have experienced in the last few days.”
Europe “really must take our fate into our own hands”, Ms Merkel added.
He also appeared to push aside Montenegro Prime Minister Dusko Markovic to stand at the front of a group of Nato leaders. Mr Markovic said the move was "inoffensive".
The signalling of the potential end of the US-German alliance could be described as good news for Russia, which has so far been restrained by Nato from provoking further aggressions in other countries like those in Crimea.
Democrats railed against “missed opportunities” by Mr Trump during his first venture.
Senator Cory Booker told CNN that Mr Trump did not focus on the “core issues” like climate change, human rights issues or Russian “aggression”.
“Not talking about the real human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, it’s almost like reducing America from the light and hope in the world to just a utilitarian kind of transactional relationship,” he said.
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