World

Germany owes NATO 'vast sums': Trump

The two leaders showed little common ground over a host of issues, including NATO and defence spending

Afp March 18, 2017

US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 17, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused Germany of owing "vast sums of money" to NATO, and said Berlin should pay Washington more for defence, a day after meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The two leaders showed little common ground Friday over a host of thorny issues, including NATO and defence spending.

On Saturday, Trump tweeted: "Germany owes vast sums of money to NATO & the United States must be paid more for the powerful, and very expensive, defence it provides to Germany!"

...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

During their joint news conference Friday, Trump -- who has criticised NATO as "obsolete" -- demanded that America's allies in the military alliance pay back "vast sums of money from past years."

Merkel said Germany had committed to increasing its military spending to the previously agreed level of two percent of GDP for NATO's European members.

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Trump set the tone for his relations with Merkel during his campaign last year, saying her decision to allow refugees into Germany was a "catastrophic mistake" and suggested she was "ruining Germany."

He also lashed out at the news media on Saturday. "Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS," he tweeted, "I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel."

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

COMMENTS (2)

Bunny Rabbit | 7 years ago | Reply Poor lady I pity her . all her intentions are nice and kind to help the refugees . her own citizens dont like her now , the refugees are not behaving properly , she has to stand with head bowed in front of NATO / DT etc.,

powayman | 7 years ago | Reply Germany is the most wealthy member of Europe and hasn't carried it's weight in NATO from day 1. Trump has a point and it's time for Germany and Merkel to shoulder a fair burden.

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