Chancellor Merz Defends Germany’s Defense Spending Amid Trump’s Criticism at NATO Meeting in Ankara
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany publicly defended the country’s defense spending after US President Donald Trump called it 'ridiculous.' The dispute occurred during a NATO meeting in Ankara, where leaders are addressing defense commitments and other geopolitical issues. Merz emphasized Germany’s plan to double its defense budget within four years.
Sources
Back and forth over defence spending comes as NATO leaders set to meet in Ankara next week.
In a meeting with Baltic leaders, Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz played up Germany's defense spending. It comes after new criticism from President Donald Trump that Germany is lagging behind other NATO allies.
Germany does not have to shy away from talking up its record on defence spending, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, when asked about US President Donald Trump calling Germany’s past efforts “ridiculous”. The issue of defence spending has loomed large as Nato leaders prepare to gather next week in Ankara, where Europeans aim to set aside strife with Trump over Iran and Greenland and show they are stepping up to defend the continent. “Germany is doubling its defence budget within four...