Trump Spanks Germany Over Energy Deal [OPINION]

President Donald Trump is not mincing words in confronting our so-called NATO allies at the summit in Brussels.

Trump is particularly singling out Germany for it's growing dependence on Russian energy, while at the same time relying upon the U.S. to defend it from the Russians. Trump told German officials to their face that the arrangement is "inappropriate" and "sad."

The Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, Linda Capuano, tells Bloomberg, “In 2019, EIA forecasts that the United States will average nearly 12 million barrels of crude oil production per day, If the forecast holds, that would make the U.S. the world’s leading producer of crude.”

Trump is right to blast the NATO allies. For too many years they have taken advantage of the American taxpayer, and have the gall now to complain when Trump calls them on it.

The free ride is over. Finally, we have a leader with the guts to stand up to these self-righteous freeloaders. It's time Europe carries its fair share of the load.

Good for Trump. Good for America.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.