“We Don’t Eat Cats and Dogs” – Reuters

Germany’s Foreign Ministry Responds to Trump’s Claims About Immigrants

Germany’s foreign ministry took to social media to address a recent false claim made by U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump regarding immigrants. In a post, the ministry highlighted Trump’s unfounded assertion that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were stealing pets or foraging wildlife for food during a debate with Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

In the same debate, Trump criticized Harris’s efforts to transition the U.S. toward a more diverse and sustainable energy portfolio, suggesting that Germany had failed in its attempts to eliminate fossil fuels. The German foreign ministry countered this by stating, "Like it or not: Germany’s energy system is fully operational, with more than 50% renewables. And we are shutting down – not building – coal and nuclear plants. Coal will be off the grid by 2038 at the latest." In a humorous tone, they added, "PS: We also don’t eat cats and dogs. #Debate2024."

The German economy ministry, also led by the Greens party, shared the post, emphasizing their commitment to not building new coal-fired power plants.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised Harris in July, referring to her as a "competent and experienced politician who knows exactly what she is doing," and expressed belief in her potential success in the upcoming U.S. election.

During Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, he frequently criticized Germany for its trade surplus with the U.S. and its defense spending. If elected, Trump has promised to impose higher tariffs on imports and link U.S. military support for NATO allies to their defense expenditures, which German officials anticipate meeting this year.