WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel (all times local):
2:25 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that he has "strong support" for NATO but that allies "must pay what they owe."
Trump, making his first appearance with Merkel, opened their White House news conference Friday by saying that "many nations owe vast sums of money" and that situation is "very unfair to the United States."
Trump said these nations need "to pay their fair share" in order to receive the promise of defense from the rest of the alliance.
The president has long complained that the U.S. shoulders too much of the burden of the cost of the alliance, which now comprises 28 nation.
Merkel said she was encouraged that Trump supports NATO, stressed its vital role and pledged that Germany will increase its own payments.
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2:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump is stressing the need to protect the U.S. from what he calls "radical Islamic terrorism" in his joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The remarks come days after a federal court again struck down his executive order temporarily suspending the U.S. refugee program and barring people from a handful of Muslim-majority countries.
Trump says that both countries must protect themselves from the threat.
He says, "Immigration is a privilege, not a right, and the safety of our citizens must always come first, without question."
Trump spent a good part of 2016 bashing the chancellor, accusing her of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees into Germany.
While Merkel insists that Germany will continue to take in people who genuinely need protection, her government has toughened asylum rules.
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2:20 p.m.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says of her visit with President Donald Trump that it's "much better to talk to one another than about one another."
She says the two discussed apprenticeship programs, and international politics during the early part of their visit. She says they will continue speaking over lunch, with a focus on fair trade and other matters.
Trump is listening to her remarks through a translation earpiece.
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12:25 p.m.
President Donald Trump says he is discussing a myriad of topics with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key European leader he harshly criticized for opening the door to refugees from Syria.
The two leaders posed for photographers in the Oval Office before a one-on-one meeting. Trump joked: "send a good picture back to Germany, please."
They are expected to discuss strengthening NATO, fighting the Islamic State group and resolving Ukraine's conflict - all matters that require close cooperation between the U.S. and Germany.
A joint news conference will be held in the afternoon.
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11:45 a.m.
President Donald Trump has welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House.
Merkel arrived Friday morning for a series of meetings with Trump. The itinerary includes discussions on strengthening NATO, fighting the Islamic State group and resolving Ukraine's conflict.
Trump spent much of 2016 bashing the chancellor, accusing her of "ruining" Germany for allowing an influx of refugees from Syria.
Merkel was originally supposed to visit the White House Tuesday. That meeting was delayed due to snow.