Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Nevertheless, Germany owes.....— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017
...vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2017
New York Times: Trump, Day After Merkel’s Visit, Says Germany Pays NATO and U.S. Too Little
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Trump criticized Germany on Saturday for paying too little to both NATO and the United States for security support, a day after he held a chilly meeting at the White House with Chancellor Angela Merkel that showcased the two leaders’ disagreements.
“Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” Mr. Trump wrote in a post on Twitter as he began his weekend at Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Palm Beach, Fla.
“Nevertheless, Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defense it provides to Germany!” he continued.
The messages followed an awkward White House meeting at which Mr. Trump appeared to refuse Ms. Merkel’s offer to shake hands in the Oval Office. The visit highlighted the gulf between the American president, who has styled himself as a foe of globalism, and the German chancellor, a staunch defender of the liberal world order.
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WNU Editor: NATO and defense spending is not the only issue that separates the U.S. and Germany .... Germany enjoys a massive trade surplus with the U.S., and President Trump has made it very clear that he wants this to change. And while the German press may be laughing at President Trump now .... Trump Meets the German Press, and They Laugh At Him (Daily Beast) .... I am willing to bet that they will not be laughing next year. My prediction .... Germany will pony-up more money for defense, but it is going to be the trade issue that the fireworks will really happen, and in this case the U.S. .... because they are the market .... holds the cards..
More News On President Trump's Tweet That Germany Pays NATO And U.S. Too Little
Trump says Germany owes 'vast sums' to NATO -- AP
Germany owes 'vast' sums of money for NATO claims US President Donald Trump -- DW
Trump says 'great' Merkel visit, amid 'fake news', but still hits Germany on NATO -- FOX News
Trump: Germany must pay more for defense US provides -- The Hill
Trump says Merkel meeting was 'great,' then blasts Germany for NATO bills -- L.A. Times
Trump in tweet: Germany owes U.S. 'vast sums of money' for NATO -- Politico
Day After Frosty Merkel Meeting, Trump Slams Germany Over NATO -- Bloomberg
