Germany Rebuts Trump's Energy Claims in Debate Fallout

Germany's foreign ministry counters Trump's debate claims about energy policy and pet consumption. Diplomatic tensions rise over renewable energy debate.

Donald Trump speaks to members of the media in the spin room following the second presidential debate

Donald Trump's critique of Germany's energy strategy during Tuesday's debate elicited indignation — and a pointed social media retort — from the country's foreign ministry, highlighting the degree to which the Republican presidential candidate maintains a strained diplomatic rapport with some of Europe's prominent powers.

The dispute originated in the final moments of Trump's head-to-head confrontation with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, whom the former president was keen to portray as an opponent of fracking and fossil fuels and an advocate for renewable energy. 

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The matter has become a contentious issue in Pennsylvania, the crucial swing state where the debate was staged and where a fracking boom has bolstered the economy.

"Germany attempted that, and within one year they were reverting to constructing conventional energy facilities," Trump asserted Tuesday evening. "We're not prepared for it. We can't jeopardize our nation for the sake of misguided vision."

Germany's foreign ministry bristled at the criticism, stating in a social media post, "Like it or not: Germany's energy system is fully functional, with over 50% renewables. And we are decommissioning – not constructing – coal & nuclear facilities. Coal will be phased out by 2038 at the latest."

"PS: We also don't consume felines and canines," the post appended.

The quip — an allusion to Trump's airing during the debate of an unfounded conspiracy theory that migrants in Ohio were devouring neighborhood pets — was a departure from typically restrained diplomatic statements, particularly among allies who often aim to avoid taking sides in domestic campaigns.

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The incident also emphasized the extent to which energy policy might remain a sensitive topic for Germany, which opted to close the nation's nuclear reactors following the 2011 catastrophe at Japan's Fukushima plant. The decision meant that Germany had to burn more environmentally-harmful coal to compensate for lost energy production — particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine led to a surge in natural gas prices. Berlin officially aims to exit coal by 2038, but is aspiring to do so earlier by the end of the decade.

It's also preparing to invest billions of euros in expanding gas power plants to support intermittent renewable energy sources.

Nevertheless, the country has not undertaken the type of reversal described by Trump. The utilization of coal power has decreased significantly in recent years and the country does not have plans to construct any new coal-fired plants.

Trump frequently clashed with then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel during his presidency, particularly regarding his push to condition US military protection on allies reaching the goal of spending at least 2% of gross domestic product on defense. Current German leader Olaf Scholz praised Harris earlier this year as a "competent and experienced politician."