Trump effect forces Germany to reprioritize defense as nation plays catch-up in military spending

PresidentDonaldTrumpmeetswithNATOSecretaryGeneralMarkRutteintheOvalOffice,wherethetwodiscussedpeacetalksbetweenRussiaandUkraine. PresidentDonaldTrump’scontinuedcriticismofGermany’sfailuretopayitsdefensebillslookstohavepushedoneofEurope’swealthiestnationsintoaction.  Thepresident’scriticismofBerlinhascompelledGermanytoincreasefundingforitsmilitaryforcesandinfrastructure,whichcriticssayareinabadstateofaffairs. RichardGrenell,U.S.AmbassadortoGermanyduringthefirstTrumpadministration,toldFoxNewsDigital“multipleGermanleadersignoredthewarningsfromPresidentTrumpthatRussiawasusingenergyasaweaponagainstthem.  USBRISTLESATGERMANY’SDEFENSEBUDGETPLANSAFTERITFALLSSHORT “ThewarinUkraineandtheinvasionofPutinshowedthenewGermanleadershipthatDonaldTrumpwasabsolutelyrightaboutGermanyfeedingthebeastthatultimatelyturnedonthem.” TrumpappointedGrenellaspresidentialenvoyfor&#