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The US president called German defense spending "ridiculous" ahead of the NATO summit, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz stressed that Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years...
US President Donald Trump has slammed Germany's defense spending, calling it "ridiculous" in a post on the Truth Social platform ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara. He also criticized other NATO allies, including Britain and Italy.
Trump has long expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the US bears the largest financial burden of the Alliance in absolute terms.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected the US president's criticism after a meeting in Berlin with the heads of state and government of the Baltic countries.
"Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years. This is the biggest commitment we have ever made to strengthen our defense capabilities. We don't have to hide from anyone about this," Merz declared.
He added that he will also present this position during the NATO summit in Ankara on July 7 and 8.
"The European Alliance countries are determined to make their contribution to NATO's defense. This must be recognized by anyone who seriously analyzes these figures," the German Chancellor said.
Under the agreement reached at the NATO summit in The Hague last year, member countries aim to invest at least 3.5 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense, as well as an additional 1.5 percent on security-related spending, such as infrastructure. The goal is for total defense and security investment to reach 5 percent of GDP by 2035, the highest level since the Cold War. Germany aims to reach defense spending of 3.5 percent of GDP by 2029.
Trump's displeasure with Berlin is also linked to Germany's stance on the conflict between Israel and Iran. During a meeting last week at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the US president expressed disappointment with the German government.
"I'm disappointed with Germany. We asked them to support us, but they refused," Trump said, without mentioning Chancellor Merz by name.
He added that the United States spends "hundreds of millions of dollars" on troops deployed in Germany and other parts of Europe.
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