Now, a couple of weeks later, we learn what may have prompted some of the tension in the room between Merkel and Trump that day. According to a new report from The Times of London today, Trump apparently took advantage of Merkel's visit to Washington D.C. to pass her a $375 billion invoice for 'overdue' NATO defense expenses. Per The Hill, Merkel largely ignored the invoice though it certainly seems to have accomplished it's goal of ruffling some feathers.
"The concept behind putting out such demands is to intimidate the other side, but the chancellor took it calmly and will not respond to such provocations," a German minister told the newspaper.As reported, the invoice was based on a 2014 pledge from NATO countries to spend 2% of their GDP on national defense. As such, Trump allegedly instructed aides to calculate how much German spending fell below that 2% target for the past 12 years, added interest and created an invoice which he hand delivered.
Trump during his presidential campaign railed against the NATO alliance and has called for member countries to increase defense spending to support the organization.
Merkel "ignored the provocation," the Times said.
Meanwhile, with the benefit of this new information, Trump's tweets from March 18th, after his meetings with Merkel, take on all new meaning.
And while Merkel has largely ignored the invoice, other German ministers have decided upon more aggressive responses. Per the Independent:
In response to the claims, German defence minister Ursula Von der Leyen rejected the notion the European nation owed the US or Nato.Never a dull moment in the Trump White House.
She issued a statement saying: "There is no debt account at Nato
"Defence spending also goes into UN peacekeeping missions, into our European missions and into our contribution to the fight against [Isis] terrorism."
Her comments were backed by Ivo Daalder, permanent representative to Nato from 2009 to 2013 under the Obama administration, who queried the President's understanding of the organisation.
He tweeted: "Sorry Mr President, that's not how Nato works. The US decides for itself how much it contributes to defending Nato.
"This is not a financial transaction, where Nato countries pay the US to defend them. It is part of our treaty commitment."
Reader Comments
Also... played lots with the slingshot n peas as a kiddo
So lysna.... why did david really kill go?
Take his money, mind and rule...Gods people you know...NOT...!!!
Ultimately... this is what every damnfucken conflict is all about.
Solution is the broad. Problem is the jock. Female always looking for her beau .... (not a direct hit my aussiefriend Just sayin'
... so with translator handy, here goes.
Female is Creative. Male is Action oriented. (Please peeps look where you re headed )
Long story short: Solution is always there before the problem and says.... coucou.... i m here, i m here!! Sort of like playing hide n seek.
Ok... i know you guys are rolling your eyes.. but just think about it. There aint ever a problem without its solution.
Just like Oma used to tell me... fรผr jeden topf sein deckle.
The European nations should charging the USA for trillions of dollars for (fake war) against the soviet for decades.
The Americans used and still using the European nations as a shield for the first strike!
Wake up Europe!