This isn’t a positive step for a non-interventionist foreign policy, but at least Americans are getting something out of having U.S. troops in 100-plus countries.
Bloomberg is reporting that President Donald Trump ordered his administration to request Germany, Japan, and other nations that have American troops on their soil to pay up to 600 percent for hosting them.
Ostensibly, the White House is demanding a Cost Plus 50 formula, which means some states could pay up to six times as much.
From the business news network:
“The president’s team sees the move as one way to prod NATO partners into accelerating increases in defense spending — an issue Trump has hammered allies about since taking office. While Trump claims his pressure has led to billions of dollars more in allied defense spending, he’s chafed at what he sees as the slow pace of increases.”
Reportedly, the Trump administration’s plan is “one of many under consideration,” aimed at trying to get allies to pay more. Or, if you think Trump is playing a game of 4D chess, blindfolded, underwater, and simultaneously playing Monopoly, then perhaps this is a way for countries to say, “No, thank you,” which would send U.S. troops home.
Either way, Bloomberg notes, both the defense agencies at home and abroad are shocked.
The best solution is to bring all the troops home from every corner of the globe. But if the status quo remains supreme, then perhaps taxpayers getting some of their money back is better.
Americans are slaves today and the police officers are the slave patrol.