In riposte to Trump, Merz says Germany can defend its military spending push

BERLIN, July 3 - Germany does not have to shy away from talking up its record on defence spending, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Friday, when asked about U.S. 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 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.

"We will state this, with all due modesty, and we are doing so as the European Union’s largest member state, bearing a responsibility within Europe."

Trump took to Truth Social to lambast the defence spending records of NATO allies this week. "Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal," said one post. In another, he said Germany's spending was "MUCH LOWER" between 2014-2025 than the U.S. or other NATO allies, adding "Ridiculous!"

In The Hague last year, NATO leaders agreed to spend 3.5% of GDP on core defence items such as weapons and troops by 2035 — up from a previous goal of 2%.

"We, too, take the Russian threat very seriously, and we are arming ourselves against it," Merz said as he hosted leaders of the Baltic states in Berlin. "We will reach the 3.5% benchmark set in The Hague as early as 2029, well ahead of the agreed deadline."

The past 12 months have severely strained the alliance, with Trump threatening to take Greenland from fellow NATO member Denmark and then waging a war against Iran that roiled the global economy without consulting European allies.

The war also rattled personal ties between Trump and European leaders including Merz, who said the U.S. was being humiliated by Iran. REUTERS