Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis
Episode: O'Reilly Update Morning Edition, March 17, 2025
Host: Bill O'Reilly
Release Date: March 17, 2025

Introduction

In the March 17, 2025 episode of Bill O’Reilly’s No Spin News and Analysis, host Bill O’Reilly delves into the intricate dynamics of America's relationship with Europe. Emphasizing a straightforward approach, O’Reilly seeks to unpack the complexities of trade imbalances and defense expenditures that shape transatlantic relations.

America’s Trade Imbalance with Europe

O’Reilly begins by highlighting the significant trade imbalances the United States experiences with several European nations. He presents compelling statistics to underscore the extent of these disparities:

• Ireland: An $80 billion trade imbalance where the U.S. exports $80 billion more to Ireland than it imports.

  “Ireland, 80 billion. That means the Republic gets 80 billion more US dollars, then we get euros from it.”
  [00:45]

• Germany: Mirrors the imbalance seen with Ireland, also at $80 billion.

  “Germany, 80 billion.”
  [00:52]

• Italy: A substantial $40 billion deficit.

  “Italy, 40 billion.”
  [00:47]

• France, Austria, and Sweden: Trade deficits of $15 billion, $11 billion, and $9 billion respectively.

  “France, 15 billion. Austria, 11 billion. Sweden, 9 billion.”
  [00:49]

O’Reilly uses these figures to argue that the U.S. is consistently in the red across various European markets, a point he believes is often overlooked by policymakers and the public alike.

Presidential Stance on European Prosperity and Fair Trade

Transitioning to the administration’s perspective, O’Reilly discusses President Donald Trump’s dual approach towards Europe:

• Prosperity for the EU: Trump expresses a desire for the European Union to thrive economically.

• Fair Trade Deals: Simultaneously, the President advocates for equitable trade agreements that rectify existing imbalances.

O’Reilly cites a recent meeting between President Trump and the Irish leader, noting the President’s subtle reprimands aimed at addressing trade disparities.

“Mr. Trump softly chided his Irish counterpart who took the jabs in good nature.”
[00:38]

He observes that while the President's intentions are clear, Democratic critics have seized upon these interactions to challenge his foreign policy strategies.

National Defense Spending: U.S. vs. Europe

Shifting focus to defense expenditures, O’Reilly presents a stark contrast between American and European military investments:

• United States: Allocates $820 billion annually towards military spending, funded entirely by taxpayers.

  “Americans spend $820 billion a year on the military. That's all taxpayer money and it protects the EU.”
  [01:10]

• European Nations: Highlighting Belgium as an example, which dedicates only 2% of its GDP to military spending.

  “But over in Europe, Belgium spends 2% on its military...”
  [01:15]

O’Reilly underscores President Trump’s demand for European countries to increase their defense budgets to a minimum of 5% of their GDP, arguing that current contributions are insufficient.

“Donald Trump wants 5% minimum from all European nations. Does that seem unreasonable to you?”
[01:25]

He frames this demand as a fair expectation, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on the United States while ensuring that European allies contribute adequately to collective security.

Conclusion

Bill O’Reilly wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of addressing both economic and defense-related imbalances in U.S.-Europe relations. He emphasizes that achieving fair trade deals and equitable defense spending are crucial for a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership.

“So we're getting hoes across the board and everybody knows that. But some people don't care.”
[00:55]

O’Reilly’s analysis serves as a call to action for both policymakers and the American public to recognize and address the underlying issues in transatlantic relations, advocating for a more balanced and fair approach moving forward.

Notable Quotes:

• “Ireland, 80 billion. That means the Republic gets 80 billion more US dollars, then we get euros from it.”
  [00:45]

• “Donald Trump wants 5% minimum from all European nations. Does that seem unreasonable to you?”
  [01:25]

• “Americans spend $820 billion a year on the military. That's all taxpayer money and it protects the EU.”
  [01:10]

This episode of O’Reilly Update Morning Edition offers a critical examination of the financial and strategic ties between the United States and Europe, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in fostering a more balanced international relationship.