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Daily Mail: Trump calls U.S. 'schmucks' for paying to safeguard Germany and says of Merkel: 'I don't know how much protection we get by protecting you'
* The president hammered nations that are not paying their fair share in remarks at NATO's headquarters last year in Brussels
* U.S. Ambassador to NATO Kay Bailey Hutchison said Thursday that the U.S. had improved an improvement since then, but it's still not enough
* NATO nations to aim to contribute the equivalent of 2 percent of their GDP tot the security organization's defense fund in 2014
* Hutchinson told reporters in advance of the trip that it's 'not just a number that was pulled out of the air'
* 'We all have to remember that we are now facing major threats by Russia...most certainly we have a rising China, and we have counter terrorism,' she stated
* The U.S. at the same time slapped down a report that said Trump was considering a troop draw down in Germany over contribution concerns
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States is 'schmucks' for paying more for Europe's defense than its most wealthy nations, singling out Germany in his assault.
Trump said that the United States spends billions to 'protect against Russia and yet they pay billions of dollars to Russia and we’re the schmucks that are paying for the whole thing.'
The president said during a Montana rally he told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he 'can’t guarantee' her country's security.
'We’re protecting you. And it means a lot more to you than protecting us,' he says he told her. ‘Cause I don’t know how much protection we get by protecting you.'
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Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 6, 2018
What Does Trump Want From NATO? (Besides More Money) -- Jonathan Stearns, Bloomberg
Trump tensions peak ahead of NATO summit -- The Hill
8 NATO countries to hit defense spending target -- Politico
German defense minister strikes back on NATO spending target -- Politico
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany is not being discussed, U.S. ambassador to NATO says -- Washington Post
Trump’s NATO summit focus won’t include withdrawing troops from Europe -- Defense News
Stoltenberg: It’s in Trump's interest to back NATO countries at summit -- CNBC
What is the point of NATO? -- Thomas Walkom, Toronto Star
China is working on a new fighter jet for aircraft carriers to replace its J-15s -- SCMP
Chinese firm eyes overseas market as strike drone Yaoying-2 makes maiden flight -- SCMP
China's military reforms to 'WIN A WAR' and overtake the US revealed in leaked memo -- Express
China-Africa military ties have deepened. Here are 4 things to know. -- Washington Post
This Is How the U.S. Thinks China Could Invade Taiwan -- Michael Peck, National Interest
China tried to spy on German parliament — report -- DW
Pakistan inks naval shipbuilding, technology transfer deal with Turkey -- Defense News
Justin Trudeau to visit Canadian troops in Latvia ahead of NATO summit -- Calgary Herald/Canadian Press
Why have French arms exports dropped 50 percent from 2016 to 2017? -- Defense News
Watch France and Germany's next-generation stealth fighter, a 2-engine jet that looks like it'll outclass the F-35 -- Business Insider
Three Ukraine soldiers die in training accident: military -- Channel News agency/Reuters
Ukraine to Take Part in NATO Summit Despite Hungarian Objection -- VOA
America’s ‘oldest ally’ runs naval aviation drills to strengthen NATO, strike techniques -- Defense News
Modern War Threats May Speed Amphib Assault Ship Buys - Navy: Not Enough Amphibs -- Warrior Maven
Abrams tanks get new round of Israeli-made ‘shields’ to fend off anti-tank weapons -- Defense News
Northrop Grumman contracted for mine detection system support -- UPI
US Army making 100 kilowatt lasers to defend against drones, rockets and mortars -- Next Big Future
Engine for US Military's New Space Plane Fires Up in 10-Day Test -- Space.com
More veterans’ requests for help on immigration are rejected now, data shows -- Military Times
US Army quietly discharging immigrant recruits -- AP
Army discharging some immigrant recruits: report -- The Hill
Binge eating, other disorders up among servicemembers -- Stars and Stripes
Yes, the U.S. Military Is In Decline. And There Is No Need to Panic -- Robert Farley, National Interest
Is Cyber the Perfect Weapon? -- Joseph S. Nye, Project Syndicate
