If you want to see it that way that's alright. This is Macron more diplomatically nudging to buy french products.
Isn't it better to buy from within our own economic union as we will grown with growing neighbors?

/fakee:
I understand some reservations with a united army, especially when our unity lacks a mandate in this form.

by that logic you should be even MORE opposed to NATO. with a european army we at least wouldn't have one nation trying to play world police, destabilising whole regions for resource access and political influence, and constantly antagonising other superpowers to create a neverending demand for their own massive weapons industry - just to mention some of the point that are never mentioned when european nations get attacked for 'not paying their fair share'...

no, there are problems with NATO, but its a completely different situation
the control of whats happening with our army remains here and the armies of the NATO nations work together in logistics, strategy and in the field

however we always have the option to decide the join or not to join operations of the united states to stick with the country you speak of (and we have done so in the past)
if we give military power to the EU this option and our control will be gone and they are welcome to do the exact some stuff you accuse the US of (and you are right to do so) in the world with our soldiers

by the way, most european countries not paying their fair share for NATO is a fact, that has been addressed by former presidents before trump
we are not investing the funds we promised and especially the german army cant provide the material and personnel that we promised as well
in the case of a military emergency we are literally fucked and unable to do anything without the americans, the result of decades of neglect and underfunding of your armed forces

i know that you are unable to admit that trump is right on this, but as a matter of fact we should appreciate him bringing the discussion back into the public

there is a big difference between us being part of an alliance or us surrendering power and sovereignty to brussels

Making you want to surrender your manufacturing of arms and supplies to the US.

backward logic is what you guys call that right?

Buy French made arms men.

This post was edited by Knoppie on Nov 13 2018 10:54am

Just as an idea.. What if we for now use that army for protection alone and countries can "rent" elements for interventions?
I mean: protecting our mutual borders is something we agree upon, as being important to retain our sovereignty.

Sort of the user pays.. I can see new ideas coming from this plan, if incorporated properly.

This post was edited by Knoppie on Nov 13 2018 11:20am

I'm not sure why everyone is getting upset.

Of course a European army will be a shit show / abject failure, but we should be encouraging them, I'm tired of paying for European defense.

Just as a question, do you think you would have a smaller army if you were not part of NATO ?

/e: Meanwhile the EU is paying for article 5 imposed after 9/11 protecting the US, and forged evidence for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
both giving us cheap oil as an important side note.

/e: On top of it, not mentioned enough: is the weapon sales to Europe. Which is pretty good business, under fire with the Trump adm.

This post was edited by Knoppie on Nov 13 2018 11:40am

Getrude going wild

Merkel joins Macron in calling for a ‘real, true European army’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/13/merkel-joins-macron-in-calling-for-a-real-true-european-army

French Germany alliance growing under Trump.

Did you know that we've been placed under US sanctions to trade with Iran, but China can ?

No, but stationing costs would go down.

Depends on Poland, though, I suspect that a "European" army will actually mean a French-German army, but I think it's moot, there's no way the Europeans will spend the 4% of GDP required to have a real armed forces.

This post was edited by bogie160 on Nov 13 2018 12:13pm