Trump’s Ambassador Says U.S. Wants ‘Credible’ German Plan for Defense
- U.S. ambassador’s demand underscores rift over German spending
- Germany to fall far short of NATO-sponsored target by 2025
Angela Merkel
Photographer: Jasper Juinen/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Donald Trump’s new envoy in Berlin said the U.S. administration expects Germany to provide a “credible plan” to reach NATO-sponsored levels of military spending, three days after Chancellor Angela Merkel’s defense minister said Berlin will fall far short of the target.
The comment by U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell is a fresh sign of discord with Germany over a range of issues, including trade, a Russian gas pipeline and Iran. It also highlights the conflict between Trump’s demand that Germany strengthen its military and the domestic political environment confronting Merkel, where her Social Democratic coalition partner opposes a massive rise in defense outlays.