TAPPER: We're back with our world lead now. As we were just discussing, when it comes to our allies in Europe, it's not just Germany criticizing U.S. leadership. Now, Italy is joining in the fun as well, saying that the European Union must take its future into its own hands. Meanwhile, President Trump I think it's fair to say is contributing to the tension to a degree, tweeting, quote: We have a massive trade deficit with Germany, plus they pay far less than they should on NATO and military. Very bad for U.S. This will change, unquote. Let's bring in CNN's Frederik Pleitgen. Fred, much of this tension began last week when President Trump blasted traditional U.S. allies over their NATO obligations, which is a totally legitimate issue, but the needling has continued. How is this being felt in Europe?</s>FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think there's a lot of anger among European allies, especially the Germans. You know, I've covered Angela Merkel, Jake, since the year 2000 and she really doesn't really come out as forcefully as she has saying Europe needs to take its destiny into its own hands. It certainly was a wake-up call, the last week with President Trump there at the NATO Summit and then also at the G7 in Italy when he made some of those remarks about Germany and trade and also about the NATO allies. One of the things that really angered a lot of European leaders, especially the Italians, by the way, was also the things regarding the Paris climate accord. One of the things that the Italian prime minister referenced was, look, we simply don't see eye to eye with the U.S. on the environment at this point in time and that's why this situation is so difficult. Angela Merkel saying essentially there's a 6-1 situation within the G7 on that topic right now. So, there is a lot of frustration in Europe. There's also some who see it more likely. There were some leaders of the Nordic country who took a picture likening themselves to that orb picture that you had with President Trump and the Saudi king.
Germany & Italy: E.U. Must Take Future Into Owns Hands.