Merz Defends Germany’s Military Buildup After Trump Criticizes NATO Spending

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz waits for his guest, the NATO Secretary General, expected to attend a weekly meeting of the German cabinet at the Defence Ministry in Berlin, Germany, on July 1, 2026. (Photo by Michael Kappeler / POOL / AFP) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Berlin’s plans to sharply increase defence spending on Friday, saying Germany is carrying out one of the largest military buildups in its postwar history after U.S. President Donald Trump renewed criticism of NATO allies over burden-sharing. Speaking in Berlin while hosting leaders from the Baltic states ahead of next week’s NATO summit in Ankara, Merz said Germany would double its defence budget within four years as part of a wider effort to strengthen its armed forces and European security. “Germany is doubling its defence budget within four years. This is the greatest effort we have ever made to strengthen our defence capabilities. In this respect, we have no reason to shy away from anyone,” Merz told reporters, according to Reuters. Merz said Germany would present its position “with all due modesty,” while recognizing its responsibility as the European Union’s largest member state. His comments came after Trump criticized NATO allies on his Truth Social platform, describing the U.S. defence role in the alliance as “one-sided” and saying Germany had spent “much lower” amounts on defence between 2014 and 2025 than the United States and some other allies. The exchange comes as NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara on July 7 and 8, with defence spending, support for Ukraine and the alliance’s long-term deterrence strategy expected to dominate the agenda. Merz said Germany would reach the NATO benchmark of spending 3.5% of gross domestic product on core defence by 2029, several years ahead of the 2035 deadline agreed by alliance leaders at last year’s summit in The Hague. At that summit, NATO members committed to investing 5% of GDP annually by 2035. Under the agreement, at least 3.5% is to be allocated to core defence needs, while up to 1.5% may count toward broader security-related spending such as infrastructure, cyber defence, civil preparedness and defence industry capacity, according to NATO’s official declaration. Germany’s military expansion is part of a broader European effort to increase defence capabilities following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Several NATO members, especially Poland and the Baltic states, have already moved faster than many Western European allies in raising defence spending as a share of national output. Reuters reported separately that NATO leaders, including Trump, are expected to reaffirm their commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, the alliance’s mutual defence clause, in the summit declaration. The text, approved by NATO ambassadors, still requires final approval by leaders at the summit. Trump has repeatedly urged European allies to spend more on defence, arguing that the United States has carried a disproportionate share of NATO’s security burden. His criticism has raised concern among some European governments about Washington’s long-term commitment to the alliance, even as NATO members continue to raise military spending in response to growing security threats. The post Merz Defends Germany’s Military Buildup After Trump Criticizes NATO Spending appeared first on Khaama Press.