Germany pledges more for under-pressure NATO ahead of summit

Germany said Monday it would raise its NATO spending to more than 50 billion euros ($55.3 billion) in 2020, days before leaders meet in London for the 70th anniversary of the transatlantic partnership.

"For 2019, we have a NATO defence spending of 47.9 billion," equivalent to 1.39 percent of output, said a defence ministry spokesman.

"For next year, this spending will be at 50.3 billion, or 1.42 percent" of gross domestic product, he added.

The new estimates were above the 1.37 percent predicted in March for 2020, but still fall short of the two percent goal set by the alliance in 2014.

Germany has been repeatedly singled out by US President Donald Trump for failing to meet the target.

Its latest commitment to increase spending also came amid sharp divisions with the bloc, after France's President Emmanuel Macron said the alliance was suffering from "brain death".

In an interview with The Economist, Macron decried a lack of coordination between Europe and the US and lamented recent unilateral action in Syria by Turkey, a key member of the military alliance.

His comments were immediately slapped down by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who called the "sweeping judgements" unnecessary.

In an interview published Sunday, German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer also underlined growing differences between the two European giants over NATO.

"The French aim for more European cooperation in order to replace NATO. I prefer to speak of "A2A", or "ability to act," Kramp-Karrenbauer told Die Welt daily.

"For me it's about everything that strengthens European defence strengthening the European pillar of NATO at the same time."

Related Links
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com

Tweet

Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.

SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly

paypal only

SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once

credit card or paypal

Trump to attend NATO summit in London, days before UK vote
Washington (AFP) Nov 16, 2019
US President Donald Trump will visit Britain for NATO's 70th-anniversary summit next month, the White House said Friday, in a trip falling days before the country votes in a general election. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking to retain power in the December 12 election that has been dominated by Brexit - a hugely divisive plan for which Trump has voiced strong support. The president, who backs Brexit, even in a "no-deal" scenario with the European Union, has already roiled the ele ... read more