Trump says US ‘must be paid more’ to defend Germany
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Saturday that Germany owes “vast sums of money” to NATO and the U.S. “must be paid more” for providing defence, reiterating his stance that European allies need to meet their end of the bargain if they are to continue benefiting from the military alliance.
Trump’s tweet from his Florida resort, where he is spending the weekend, came the day after his first meeting with Germany’s leader.
“Despite what you have heard from the FAKE NEWS, I had a GREAT meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel,” the president wrote. “Nevertheless, 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!”
Trump and Merkel tried to sidestep their differences in their meeting at the White House on Friday, but it was punctuated by some awkward moments.