Trump hikes price tag for US forces in Korea almost 400% as Seoul questions alliance

[rangerrebew]

Trump hikes price tag for US forces in Korea almost 400% as Seoul questions alliance

By Nicole Gaouette, CNN


Washington (CNN)Secretary of Defense Mark Esper landed in South Korea on Thursday to navigate renewed threats from an "enraged" North Korea and newly heightened strain in the alliance with Seoul that congressional aides, lawmakers and Korea experts say has been caused by President Donald Trump.

Trump is demanding that South Korea pay roughly 400% more in 2020 to cover the cost of keeping US troops on the peninsula, a congressional aide and an administration official confirmed to CNN.

The price hike has frustrated Pentagon officials and deeply concerned Republican and Democratic lawmakers, according to military officials and congressional aides. It has angered and unnerved Seoul, where leaders are questioning US commitment to their alliance and wondering whether Trump will pull US forces if they don't pay up.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/14/politics/trump-south-korea-troops-price-hike/index.html

[Victoria33]

@rangerrebew

Trump said of the lady ambassador - "She went to Somalia, how did that work out?"
One can say, "Trump went to Korea, how is that working out?"

[Fishrrman]

Trump "offers" 400%.
He'll settle for 200.

The South Koreans will pay up.

Freedom (at least in that part of the world, just look to the north) doesn't come "for free"...