German Minister Calls Trump's 5% NATO Defense Spending Proposal 'unrealistic'
Robert Habeck, an advocate for increasing the allocations threshold, asserts that the medium-term objective ought to be 3.5% of GDP. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that NATO members should increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. In an interview with the Funke media group released on Thursday, Habeck described the target as "unrealistic."
Habeck’s remarks came after Trump highlighted disparities in defense spending among NATO nations during a press conference on Tuesday. Trump stated the US was investing “billions and billions of dollars more … than Europe,” arguing that EU countries “can all afford” to elevate their defense budgets to 5%.
“What Donald Trump is proposing is unrealistic. We will not end up with 5%,” Habeck said. Currently, NATO's defense spending guideline stands at 2% of GDP, a target that many member states, including Germany, have found challenging to achieve. While Habeck supports an increase in defense spending, he believes the objective should be set at 3.5%.
“3.5% is roughly what is currently being discussed in NATO as a medium-term goal,” he asserted, underlining the necessity for enhanced European investment in defense amid a shifting security landscape.
As the Green Party's candidate for chancellor in February's snap elections, Habeck proposed financing the increase through special defense funds or reforms to current debt limits without resorting to budget cuts. He noted that such an increase should be seen as temporary.
“If we have achieved a reasonable state for Germany’s security in a few years, then we will be able to reduce spending again,” he mentioned.
Trump's call for a 5% defense spending target has ignited a debate within Germany and across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outrightly rejected the proposal, asserting that EU citizens should not shoulder that financial burden. Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union in Germany, also dismissed Trump’s target, emphasizing that the specific percentage matters less than ensuring that Germany's defense obligations are fulfilled.
“The 2, 3, or 5% are basically irrelevant. The decisive factor is that we do what is necessary to defend ourselves,” Merz told Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Recently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that members should aim for “at least 4%,” while also indicating that even this figure would be inadequate for comprehensive modernization. Rutte called for improved access to US military equipment for European nations, pointing out delays resulting from Congressional and Pentagon approvals.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Habeck’s remarks came after Trump highlighted disparities in defense spending among NATO nations during a press conference on Tuesday. Trump stated the US was investing “billions and billions of dollars more … than Europe,” arguing that EU countries “can all afford” to elevate their defense budgets to 5%.
“What Donald Trump is proposing is unrealistic. We will not end up with 5%,” Habeck said. Currently, NATO's defense spending guideline stands at 2% of GDP, a target that many member states, including Germany, have found challenging to achieve. While Habeck supports an increase in defense spending, he believes the objective should be set at 3.5%.
“3.5% is roughly what is currently being discussed in NATO as a medium-term goal,” he asserted, underlining the necessity for enhanced European investment in defense amid a shifting security landscape.
As the Green Party's candidate for chancellor in February's snap elections, Habeck proposed financing the increase through special defense funds or reforms to current debt limits without resorting to budget cuts. He noted that such an increase should be seen as temporary.
“If we have achieved a reasonable state for Germany’s security in a few years, then we will be able to reduce spending again,” he mentioned.
Trump's call for a 5% defense spending target has ignited a debate within Germany and across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz outrightly rejected the proposal, asserting that EU citizens should not shoulder that financial burden. Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union in Germany, also dismissed Trump’s target, emphasizing that the specific percentage matters less than ensuring that Germany's defense obligations are fulfilled.
“The 2, 3, or 5% are basically irrelevant. The decisive factor is that we do what is necessary to defend ourselves,” Merz told Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Recently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested that members should aim for “at least 4%,” while also indicating that even this figure would be inadequate for comprehensive modernization. Rutte called for improved access to US military equipment for European nations, pointing out delays resulting from Congressional and Pentagon approvals.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
