Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump, Washington, U.S., March 17, 2017. © Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
ABC News Online: Germany rejects Donald Trump's claims it owes NATO and US 'vast sums' for defence
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen has rejected US President Donald Trump's claim that Germany owes NATO and the United States "vast sums" of money for defence.
"There is no debt account at NATO," Ms von der Leyen said in a statement, adding that it was wrong to link the alliance's target for members to spend 2 per cent of their economic output on defence by 2024 solely to NATO.
"Defence spending also goes into UN peacekeeping missions, into our European missions and into our contribution to the fight against IS terrorism," Ms von der Leyen said.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Germany is pledging to meet the 2% economic output requirement for NATO members to spend on defense by 2024 .... but President Trump wants the money to be spent now. I can understand why President Trump feels this way .... the idea that an economic powerhouse like Germany is not prioritising its spending on defence .... while warning at the same time that Russia is in an expansionist phase in eastern Europe .... is one contradiction too many for him.
Germany Rejects President Trump's Claims It Owes NATO And US 'Vast Sums' For Defence
Germany Rejects Donald Trump’s Claim That It ‘Owes Vast Sums of Money’ to NATO, U.S. -- NBC
German Defense Ministry contradicts Trump, says it doesn’t owe U.S. money for NATO -- Washington Post
'No debt at NATO', German Ministry says after Trump tweets -- IANS
Germany Trades Barbs With Trump on Defense After Merkel Meeting -- Bloomberg
Germany Hits Back at President Trump’s Claim That It Owes U.S. ‘Vast Sums’ of Money -- Fortune