President Trump gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel a staff-created bill for NATO defenses estimated at $377 billion, The Times of London reported on Sunday. <\/p>\n
Trump reportedly handed Merkel the invoice during her trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this month. <\/p>\n
The Times estimated the bill at 300 billion pounds, which is just over $377 billion at current exchange rates. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
The White House disputed the reports on Sunday afternoon, telling The Hill the story is false. <\/p>\n
A spokesman for the German government also denied the claim on Monday. <\/p>\n
Trump during his presidential campaign railed against the NATO alliance and has called for member countries to increase defense spending to support the organization. <\/p>\n
The Independent reported that the invoice listed a total, as estimated by Trump's aides, to cover Germanysunpaid contributions. <\/p>\n
In 2014, NATO countries pledge to spend 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. The Independent reported that Trump told aides to calculate how much German spending fell below that 2 percent mark in the past 12 years backdating the invoice to when Merkel's predecessor was in charge then add interest. <\/p>\n
In a joint press conference with Merkel during her visit, Trump told reporters that he emphasized the United States commitment to NATO and the need for allies to increase defense spending. <\/p>\n
Updated Monday at 1:14 p.m. <\/p>\n
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Read more from the original source: President Trump gave German Chancellor Angela Merkel a staff-created bill for NATO defenses estimated at $377 billion, The Times of London reported on Sunday. Trump reportedly handed Merkel the invoice during her trip to Washington, D.C., earlier this month Continue reading
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