U.S. President Donald Trump will hold a one-on-one meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the NATO summit Wednesday, the White House said.
The encounter comes after Trump launched a furious attack on Germany at the start of the alliance gathering, bitterly criticizing Berlin for not spending enough on defense and accusing it of being “captive” to Russia for energy.
The U.S. leader also demanded Germany step up its defense spending “immediately”, saying plans to increase budgets over the coming years are not enough.
Trump has long complained that European NATO members do not pay enough for their own defense, accusing them of freeloading on America and singling out Germany for particular criticism.