A PzH 2000 howitzer, a Leopard 2 tank and a PUMA infantry fighting vehicle (L-R) of German army take part in an exercise in Munster on September, 28, 2018. © Reuters / Fabian Bimmer
Daily Mail: Germany says it will abandon its NATO spending commitments and invest less than promised, sparking US anger after Trump criticised European allies for expecting a free ride
* Berlin's latest budget will see defence spending drop well below two per cent
* Donald Trump has accused Germany of freeloading on U.S. military might
* Washington's ambassador in Berlin said planned cuts were a 'worrisome signal'
* But Angela Merkel said Germany would not cut aid to raise its military outlays
Germany's military spending is set to fall below its NATO targets, in the latest flashpoint in Berlin's long-running row with Washington.
The latest German budget plans, revealed on Monday, will see defence spending drop well below the two per cent of GDP expected from NATO members.
U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell said the cuts were a 'worrisome signal', while President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Germany of freeloading on U.S. military might.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the U.S. criticism, saying Germany will not cut foreign aid to raise military spending.
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WNU Editor: Europeans like German Chancellor Merkel are questioning the U.S. commitment to NATO. The real question that should be asked is .... are European leaders like German Chancellor Merkel committed to NATO. If spending money is the metric that one uses to answer this question, I will have to say that their commitment to NATO is based on their own financial and political considerations.
Update: The Germans do not like being called out on broken promises .... Call for US envoy to Germany to be sent home over NATO spending row (Politico).
More News On German Defense Budget Cuts
German military commissioner, US ambassador alarmed by budgetary restraints -- DW
Merkel rejects criticism of German defense spending -- FOX News/AP
Germany Plans to Cut Military Budget in Spite of US Calls to Reach NATO Target -- Sputnik
Germany ‘committed’ to increasing defense budget, but nowhere near US expectations -- RT
Why Germany Should Further Boost Defense Spending, and Why It Probably Won’t -- Franz-Stefan Gady, Defense One
5 comments:
Trump reversed Obama's benign neglect of Europe by pouring almost 10 billion into European specific troop deployments, ammunition resupply, reintroduction of armor to Europe and more combat exercises.
In exchange Germany tells him to bugger off. Funny this comes 1 day after the French Minister of Defense, Ms Parly, questioned the US's commitment to NATO.
Germany understands that NATO can't survive without it, so they can freeload endlessly. I can't wait for Trump's next actions in Europe.
Time to leave NATO I guess. WTF!?!?
# Abolish NATO... We see Germany supports that position.
#America First.
I have noticed a dramatic change in Merkel since Trump took office. As if she were following commands by someone else...certainly not in Germany's long term interests. Nothing makes sense. Why did Merkel OK the oildeal with Russia ffs? Why back stab our American friends? Why weaken our military individually and as alliance? This is not what most Germans want. time to get these crooks out of office..if anyone is colluding with Russia, it's Merkel...she'll probably run off to Gasprom like that sell-out before her. Gerhard Schröder. Remember that loser? He started working for them the day after losing to Merkel.
Guess it's gonna be broomsticks for everyone.
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