Posted on 03/10/2019 7:52:14 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
In private discussions with his aides, President Trump has devised an eye-popping formula to address one of his long-standing complaints: that allies hosting U.S. forces don’t pay Washington enough money.
Under the formula, countries would pay the full cost of stationing American troops on their territory, plus 50 percent more, said U.S. and foreign officials familiar with the idea, which could have allies contributing five times what they provide.
Trump calls the formula “cost plus 50,” and it has struck fear in the hearts of U.S. allies who view it as extortionate.
Rumors that the formula could become a global standard have especially rattled Germany, Japan and South Korea, which host thousands of forces, and U.S. officials have mentioned the demand to at least one country in a formal negotiation setting, said people familiar with the matter.
National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said the Trump administration “is committed to getting the best deal for the American people” but would not comment “on any ongoing deliberations regarding specific ideas.” Trump has long complained that U.S. and NATO allies freeload on U.S. military protection, but the cost-plus-50 formula has only gained traction in recent months, said current and former U.S. officials, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.
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(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
I agree. Seems like more fake news.
...with your own troops.
What you call a “certainty” is actually a choice that Europe has made, and continues to make.
I hear ya, brother! Enough with promoting all these other countries that then come back and destroy our manufacturing base. It was a good and moral thing to do back then, but it is OVER! Just like we were raised to believe that it was good make life easier for our offspring, when truthfully, it is the struggle along the way to that goal of an easier life that generates wonderful offspring.
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