EghtesadOnline: Germany and U.S. traded barbs over the weekend about defense spending following an awkward first meeting between President Donald Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

EghtesadOnline: Defense spending by European NATO states inched up in 2016 compared to the previous year, data by the military alliance showed on Monday, but still remained below the threshold the new U.S. President Donald Trump said was crucial to achieve.

EghtesadOnline: German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel after meeting with the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Friday there was no question that Europe must spend more on defense, but said the debate on military spending needed to include work on sustainable development, Reuters reported.