German Chancellor Merz Responds to Trump's Criticism: We've Doubled Our Defense Budget

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz responded to US President Donald Trump's criticism that the burden on NATO is disproportionate. Merz stated that his country has made the greatest effort to strengthen its defense capabilities by doubling its defense budget in four years.Merz made statements at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian President Edgar Rinkevics, and Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal. Merz stated that his country has taken significant steps to increase defense investments and achieve the targets set at the NATO 2025 Summit in The Hague, saying

Germany is doubling its defense budget in four years. This is the greatest effort we have made so far to strengthen our defense capacity. In this regard, we have nothing to hide.

.The German Chancellor, aware of their responsibilities within Europe, stated

The fact that I have invited these three colleagues to Berlin today, and last week I invited four colleagues in the E5 format to Berlin, shows that we are in close coordination with each other on the European side and are determined to contribute to NATO's defense, especially Europe's defense.

. Merz said he would mention these numbers without exaggeration when he meets in Ankara the following week.