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Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive

Merz hits back at Trump for ridiculing Germany’s defence spending drive
South China Morning Post Friday 03 July 2026, 13:43 UTC By Reuters 1 min read
Key Points

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...

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...
Merz (PERSON) Trump (ORG) Germany (LOCATION) Friedrich Merz (PERSON) US (LOCATION) Donald Trump (PERSON) Nato (ORG) Ankara (LOCATION) Europeans (ORG) Iran (LOCATION) Greenland (LOCATION)
Originally published by South China Morning Post Read original →

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