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[Xando]

Donald Trump handed the German chancellor Angela Merkel a bill — thought to be for more than £300bn — for money her country “owed” Nato for defending it when they met last weekend, German government sources have revealed.

The bill — handed over during private talks in Washington — was described as “outrageous” by one German minister.

“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,” the minister said.

Trump has criticised a number of Nato countries — Germany among them — for insufficient military spending, leaving America to pick up more than its fair share of the tab. He wants them to honour a commitment made in 2014 to invest 2% of their GDP in defence — a target met at present only by the US, Britain, Estonia, Greece and Poland.

Trump appeared to go one step further during his meeting with Merkel. Taking 2002 as a starting point, his officials calculated the extent to which German defence spending had fallen short of the 2% target each year, added the amount together — and then put interest on top.

US officials told their German counterparts they chose 2002 because, they claim, that was the year Merkel’s predecessor, Gerhard Schröder, committed his country to higher defence spending.

Neither side revealed the total, though official figures suggest a cumulative shortfall of more than £250bn. Addition of compound interest would take the amount past £300bn. According to diplomatic sources, Trump had his staff prepare similar calculations for all other Nato members below the 2% target.

A source close to Merkel was dismissive. “The president has a very unorthodox view on Nato defence spending,” the source said. “The alliance is not a club with a membership fee. The commitments relate to countries’ investment in their defence budgets.”

Merkel is said to have “ignored the provocation”, but did commit to raise German defence spending gradually, although she asked for spending on international development to be taken into consideration.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/g...intimidating-300bn-bill-for-defence-dl7dk629k

 

[DrMungo]

That's not how NATO works

 

[Chairmanchuck]

Wonder when Xi Jinping hands Trump a bill what America owes China.

 

[Turbo Killer]

I'm sure they will pay like Mexico is paying for the wall.

 

[Rektash]

Merkel is said to have ”ignored the provocation", but did commit to raise German defence spending gradually, although she asked for spending on international development to be taken into consideration.

Good thing Merkel is one of the few rational players left on the worldstage.

And I am saying that as someone who is not the biggest fan of her policies.

Wonder when Xi Jinping hands Trump a bill what America owes China.

The entire middle east should hand him a bill to fix what american meddling has done to the region for the past 20 years.

 

[Saya]

Does he want Germany to deposit the money straight into his own bank account?

 

[SuperBanana]

Trump's method of negotiating:

Make outrageous claim
Demands money
Gets rejected
Blames everyone else
Acts like it never happened.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

Trump thinks he can intimidate the Germans. Cute.

 

[Gorger]

Trump is desperate for his wall and will fuck over USA's closest allies to get it.

 

[Sölf]

I mean, I do understand that it would be nice to spent the 2% on defense. But come on. A bill? With freaking interests? Donald pls.

 

[Wanda/Wander]

So, is it safe to assume that all the goodwill and respect that Obama has built up for America has already been wiped away by Trump?

 

[Dynamite Shikoku]

truly the best negotiator

 

[siddx]

King baby bigot really doesn't live in this reality does he? What a fucking idiot.

 

[TeamLeftMatch]

Putin is laughing right now.
"America made this treaty to stop communism, but now that I'm working with the Russians, you should pay for protection"

So, is it safe to assume that all the goodwill and respect that Obama has built up for America has already been wiped away by Trump?

That good will died when Trump put in the Muslim ban.

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Is this the first time a country has aggressively pushed for strong German military? It's kinda surreal.

Especially funny to me since I have this mental image of French and British big cheeses at their militaries being more than happy to be the top dogs of european military projection thinking they are tough shit while Germany has been very low key in this regard.

And I mean, I know this is possibly just another Putin projection to make NATO seem more weak but I cannot imagine him actually wanting stronger military for western europe.

 

[Kill Your Masters]

He still believes he can run a country like a business.

 

[Usobuko]

US is the greatest threat to Europe.

It is in the current US interest to weaken the union and obtain much higher leverage on all its members. They are also turning their population to become even more nationalistic with all the " Build in America, Buy American " movement.

Lmao @ with interest rate included. What's the rate, donny?

 

[WhateverItTakes]

Loooooool, thinks he's playing some hardball business tactics for the best deals guys, just the best.

 

[Acorn]

I wonder if he left it on a tray with mints then walked into the kitchen.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

Is this the first time a country has aggressively pushed for strong German military? It's kinda surreal.

Especially funny to me since I have this mental image of French and British big cheeses at their militaries being more than happy to be the top dogs of european military projection thinking they are tough shit while Germany has been very low key in this regard.

The US is pushing France as well because they aren't at the committed % either.

 

[Turbo Killer]

Usually the president has advisors that tell him how to act to some degree, in this case they are as raw sewage as the guy they are advising.

 

[CaviarMeths]

Man, that's so fucking insulting. That's not how you treat defense allies, trade partners, friends. Why would Trump even think it's his call to collect on behalf of NATO?

 

[Saya]

Was this before or after the handshake situation?

 

[Matt]

Is this the first time a country has aggressively pushed for strong German military? It's kinda surreal.

Especially funny to me since I have this mental image of French and British big cheeses at their militaries being more than happy to be the top dogs of european military projection thinking they are tough shit while Germany has been very low key in this regard.

And I mean, I know this is possibly just another Putin projection to make NATO seem more weak but I cannot imagine him actually wanting stronger military for western europe.

Not really. NATO was very interested in keeping the West German military up to snuff during he Cold War.

 

[Xando]

Usually the president has advisors that tell him how to act to some degree, in this case they are as raw sewage as the guy they are advising.

His closest advisor is literally a nazi. Not sure what to expect

 

[-Plasma Reus-]

Fuck this guy.
I hope she throws it back at him when they arrest him foe treason.

 

[Binabik15]

Lol.

As if Merkel (or any sane, experienced politician) would be thrown off guard by such a pathetic wannabe-bully move.

 

[shira]

Wonder when Xi Jinping hands Trump a bill what America owes China.

The Putin bill is gonna be something.

 

[Matsukaze]

Trump is desperate to add another bright, shiny L to his collection.

 

[liquidtmd]

For Trump, it was just another day.

 

[ArkhamFantasy]

I'm glad other countries have mature adults in charge, im very jealous.

 

[123rl]

Mr Garrison sorry, Donald Trump, keeps on entertaining*

*entertaining for the rest of the world. Sorry, America. I love your country but you're screwed

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Not really. NATO was very interested in keeping the West German military up to snuff during he Cold War.

What was the reason for low key military spending then? Was it Germany internally like now or pressure from France or something? Or is the relatively low spending in Germany only post reunification?

 

[TeamLeftMatch]

Was this before or after the handshake situation?

Trump looks like those dogs that are guilty so that they don't make eye contact with their owner. Expect trumps a rotting pumpkin and somehow the president of the United States

 

[Familienoberhauptvogel]

Does he realize that's a bill they'd have to pay themselves? As in a directive to spend that money on defense.

 

[Ushojax]

Man, that's so fucking insulting. That's not how you treat defense allies, trade partners, friends. Why would Trump even think it's his call to collect on behalf of NATO?

He's just doing what Putin would do, trying to intimidate people. Most serious politicians are savvy enough not to take it seriously. Trump might think he is a serious statesman, but he's just a gameshow host who ended up President. They just put up with his nonsense knowing that the machinery of government will keep him under control and keep America's best interest in mind. Trump will soon learn that he cannot treat world leaders, senators, etc like he treats his butlers and expect to govern effectively.

 

[JonnyDBrit]

Does he want Germany to deposit the money straight into his own bank account?

That's what I'm left wondering. Where does he expect the money to go, exactly? It's not like NATO receives a lump sum from each country and then spends it - it's just a logical implication of a nation's existing defense spending.

 

[Turbo Killer]

Will he ever realize that you really can't intimidate career politicians and in this case heads of state? They have been playing the game longer than him and are on a whole other level?

 

[barber]

What was the reason for low key military spending then? Was it Germany internally like now or pressure from France or something? Or is the relatively low spending in Germany only post reunification?

After the reunification and the fall of the USSR there was a demilitarization of Europe and if i remember correctly some treaties with russia to reduce the number of aritllery / tanks in Germany.

 

[entremet]

This fool is destroying our important alliances overnight.

 

[hobblygobbly]

NATO isn't a protection racket, go fuck yourself Trump.

I also disagree with the design of the 2% GDP commitment.

Do people realise how that will transform the German military? We are not ready for it in Germany and I don't think the world is either to have Germany become the second largest military power in the west after the U.S, which will happen if we do 2%. I can just imagine the headlines.

I do support improving our military, but not in that sort of military expenditure which can't just be spent on a defensive doctrine. We should improve our military in terms of defense but we do not need 2% GDP expenditure for that.

 

[Phamit]

I wonder if this happened before the oval office photoshoot? Seems like it didn't had the effect Trump expected

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Weird how there's nothing about this in German media.

 

[Matt]

What was the reason for low key military spending then? Was it Germany internally like now or pressure from France or something? Or is the relatively low spending in Germany only post reunification?

Germany spends the 9th most in the world on their military. The complaint here is that number is still less than 2% of their GDP.

 

[akira28]

did he get someone to type it up in Notepad and print it on an inkjet printer?

did it say NATE Bill at the top?

because this dumb motherfucker obviously doesn't know what the hell a NATO is.

 

[liquidtmd]

Weird how there's nothing about this in German media.

Everyone knows the Germans don't report on comedy well

 

[oti]

lol what

lal was

 

[Funky Papa]

The craziest thing is that Germany doesn't even have to be spending that kind of money. It's guidance, a long term goal aiming for 2024.

And here's this motherfucker thinking about imaginary interest rates for expenses that aren't even required. And then putting them in a bill.

 

[El Topo]

Weird how there's nothing about this in German media.

Yeah, I'm not really buying the story.

Edit:
Oh, it's just *that* story, with a number attached to it and a bit of sensationalism.

 

[Osahi]

Complains US has to spend a lot on military because other NATO members do less.

Proposes budget with severe increase in military spending.

Make up your fucking mind Donny.