Trump and Merkel meet. wire tapping allegations and more

[zenkai]

Source

Trump presses Merkel 'hard' on NATO dues during visit

President Trump pressed German Chancellor Angela Merkel “hard” on NATO dues during the leaders’ Oval Office meeting on Friday, Fox News is told – a point the president underscored during their joint press conference minutes later.

“Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States,” Trump said at the press conference, discussing the need for NATO allies to pay “their fair share” for defense. “These nations must pay what they owe.”

He then thanked Merkel, who was standing beside him, for Germany’s apparent commitment to increase defense spending and work toward contributing 2 percent of GDP to NATO.

According to a source with direct knowledge of the meeting, the comments came after Trump privately pressed Merkel during their discussion to increase NATO spending. While NATO already has asked members to invest 2 percent of their GDP, Germany has fallen under that line.

The joint press conference was amicable, despite Trump’s blunt criticism of the German leader during his presidential campaign.

In a nod to that history and other ongoing disagreements, Merkel said it is “much better to talk to one another than about one another.”

The two leaders met after the visit was postponed from earlier this week due to weather. It marked one of the more potentially awkward encounters between Trump and a foreign head of state, considering his past criticism of the German leader.

During the 2016 campaign, Trump accused her of “ruining” Germany by allowing an influx of refugees from Syria.

“You watch what happens to Angela Merkel, who I always thought of as a very good leader until she did this. I don't know what went wrong with her," said then-candidate Trump at an August rally in Virginia.

But Trump has shown a willingness to move past some his 2016 feuds – both with foreign leaders and U.S. Republican lawmakers – and the focus of Friday’s discussions was pressing security business.

The itinerary included talks on strengthening NATO, fighting the Islamic State and resolving Ukraine's conflict, all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany, the White House said.

At the press conference, Trump said they discussed workforce development and vocational training, and numerous global issues. He said they seek a “peaceful solution” to the conflict in Ukraine and added, “Our two countries must continue to work together to protect our people from radical Islamic terrorism. “

The meeting could be a restart of a relationship complicated by Trump's rhetoric on the campaign trail.

Merkel shared a strong bond with former President Barack Obama. And as the leader of Europe's biggest economy and most stable government, Merkel emerged in recent years as the leading voice for a continent struggling with slow growth, identity issues and increased security threats after a string of terrorist attacks.

Despite his criticism during the campaign, Trump still found ways to voice respect. When a television station in September asked him to name a world leader he admired, he cited Merkel.

Merkel's first major encounter with Trump came as she seeks a fourth term as chancellor in elections later this year. She has acknowledged the contest could be difficult and has stressed a need for stability after Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

She reportedly has studied Trump's speeches and policies in advance of her trip, eager to find areas for cooperation.

At the press conference, Trump also disputed any characterization that he is an “isolationist,” scolding a reporter for a related line of questioning. He said he’s a “free trader” and a “fair trader” and reiterated his belief that the U.S. has not been treated fairly.

Meanwhile, he continued to tout the prospects for the House Republican legislation to repeal and replace ObamaCare which could face key votes next week, amid turbulence inside the GOP.

Trump said “it’s coming together beautifully” and predicted it will pass by a substantial margin.

Trump to Merkel: We were both wiretapped under Obama

[Edge-]

Including this incredibly awkward moment where Trump, true to form, refuses to extend his hand for a handshake for the press.

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/stat...75869823377409

Because our president is a petulant fucking child with no understanding of diplomacy and a State Department led by a man who similarly has little understanding and apparently no motivation to have his people give him or Trump a crash course in "How to act like adults in diplomatic situations.".

Also, his attempts to avoid questions from German press asking him about his bullshit wiretap claims are pretty hilarious. I see good old Dear Leader Tiny Hands is still pulling his victim hood as tight as possible in the hopes that it will block out reality.

[Snorkles]

So he's changed his stance on the wiretapping being by the UK then? Or is he suggesting we wiretapped Germany as well?

[Coconuter]

Including this incredibly awkward moment where Trump, true to form, refuses to extend his hand for a handshake for the press.

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/stat...75869823377409

Because our president is a petulant fucking child with no understanding of diplomacy and a State Department led by a man who similarly has little understanding and apparently no motivation to have his people give him or Trump a crash course in "How to act like adults in diplomatic situations.".

Also, his attempts to avoid questions from German press asking him about his bullshit wiretap claims are pretty hilarious. I see good old Dear Leader Tiny Hands is still pulling his victim hood as tight as possible in the hopes that it will block out reality.

His administration at least came out today and said that he was wrong about the wire tapping. He's not above coming out and saying he was wrong.

I do agree I dislike how much he plays the victim card and wish he took it more seriously. However, some are validated.

As much as you post negativities towards people I'm not sure how seriously to take you calling others 'fucking child' amongst plenty else. You really need to look in the mirror. Hypocritical at best.

[Templar 331]

“Many nations owe vast sums of money from past years, and it is very unfair to the United States,” Trump said at the press conference, discussing the need for NATO allies to pay “their fair share” for defense. “These nations must pay what they owe.”

http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/27/politi...p-nato-allies/

NATO's official guidelines say member states should spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense.

They owe us nothing. And seeing as how we are spending twice as much on defense than the other 27 members combined we have no one but ourselves to blame.

[alexw]

So he's changed his stance on the wiretapping being by the UK then? Or is he suggesting we wiretapped Germany as well?

He is referencing when the CIA (or NSA?) listened in on the communications of the German chancellor. Basically rubbing her nose in the fact that the US was spying on the German government a few years ago. Not exactly the sort of thing you say if you want friendly relations.

[kail]

So he's changed his stance on the wiretapping being by the UK then? Or is he suggesting we wiretapped Germany as well?

No, Trump is under the idea that Obama is watching him sleep.

[Acidbaron]

He is referencing when the CIA (or NSA?) listened in on the communications of the German chancellor. Basically rubbing her nose in the fact that the US was spying on the German government a few years ago. Not exactly the sort of thing you say if you want friendly relations.

Something that was already dealt with under the previous president but i guess that was his attempt to create some sort of a circle jerk.

For the rest, Stay classy america. If you found Bush to be terrible for image aboard this fella will makes you look so much worse.

[Templar 331]

Including this incredibly awkward moment where Trump, true to form, refuses to extend his hand for a handshake for the press.

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/stat...75869823377409

Because our president is a petulant fucking child with no understanding of diplomacy and a State Department led by a man who similarly has little understanding and apparently no motivation to have his people give him or Trump a crash course in "How to act like adults in diplomatic situations.".

Also, his attempts to avoid questions from German press asking him about his bullshit wiretap claims are pretty hilarious. I see good old Dear Leader Tiny Hands is still pulling his victim hood as tight as possible in the hopes that it will block out reality.

The little shit can't even make eye contact?!?! I'm not an expert on body language but that clip screams "I'm only here because I have to be. I still don't like you!"

[Malacrass]

That handshake moment is so freaking hilarious. It's like she's talking to a 5 year old who just got his candy denied.

[Darsithis]

His administration at least came out today and said that he was wrong about the wire tapping. He's not above coming out and saying he was wrong.

His administration said it, he didn't. In fact, as of 13 minutes ago, he stood by his claims, so...

...besides, what would you call someone who rails on Twitter against everyone who says anything remotely negative about him?

[Matchles]

Including this incredibly awkward moment where Trump, true to form, refuses to extend his hand for a handshake for the press.

https://twitter.com/davidmackau/stat...75869823377409

Because our president is a petulant fucking child with no understanding of diplomacy and a State Department led by a man who similarly has little understanding and apparently no motivation to have his people give him or Trump a crash course in "How to act like adults in diplomatic situations.".

Also, his attempts to avoid questions from German press asking him about his bullshit wiretap claims are pretty hilarious. I see good old Dear Leader Tiny Hands is still pulling his victim hood as tight as possible in the hopes that it will block out reality.

I'm more pissed off about this than almost anything else he's done. What a fucking embarrassment he is.

[Deleted]

Because our president is a petulant fucking child with no understanding of diplomacy...

Blah blah blah - he has met with 6 foreign heads-of-state and not one single incident has occurred from it. Hell, Theresa May let him hold her hand as they walked to the Rose Garden. Heck, Justin Trudeau obviously likes him and his daughter enough that he went to a play with Ivanka the other night.

I am pretty sure that it is not President Donald J .Trump that is acting like the "petulant fucking child".

[Deleted]

Including this incredibly awkward moment where Trump, true to form, refuses to extend his hand for a handshake for the press.

Nobody respects women like he does.

[xChurch]

And I thought the meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister was awkward. It's hilarious to watch him try to pull off cheesy "power" moves from the 50s.

[Acidbaron]

His administration said it, he didn't. In fact, as of 13 minutes ago, he stood by his claims, so...

...besides, what would you call someone who rails on Twitter against everyone who says anything remotely negative about him?

Have to imagine what goes on behind the scenes with them rushing to do damage control 'God dammit Donald NOT AGAIN!'

[Deleted]

Nobody respects women like he does.

True -

[Coconuter]

His administration said it, he didn't. In fact, as of 13 minutes ago, he stood by his claims, so...

...besides, what would you call someone who rails on Twitter against everyone who says anything remotely negative about him?

Never said he's not an asshole. And yes, I said his administration did, after they do he follows soon after, especially since Spicer was pushing this much more than him.

[Deleted]

His administration at least came out today and said that he was wrong about the wire tapping. He's not above coming out and saying he was wrong.

I do agree I dislike how much he plays the victim card and wish he took it more seriously. However, some are validated.

As much as you post negativities towards people I'm not sure how seriously to take you calling others 'fucking child' amongst plenty else. You really need to look in the mirror. Hypocritical at best.

There is no hypocrisy. The major difference being spouting bollox in public is fine if you're johnny nomark, but not fine if you're the leader of the free world.

We need to keep on about his tiny hands. Another month or two and he'll have developed a nervous twitch whenever a public hand shake is due. Which world leader will be the first to give it a really good squeeze?

[Templar 331]

I am pretty sure that it is not President Donald J .Trump that is acting like the "petulant fucking child".

You must not have been following him on Twitter. It's pretty clear in the OP what he says on there....

“You watch what happens to Angela Merkel, who I always thought of as a very good leader until she did this. I don't know what went wrong with her," said then-candidate Trump at an August rally in Virginia.