Germany Meets NATO’s 2% Defence Goal, but Trump's 5% Demand Still a Point of

Germany has met NATO’s 2% defence spending target for 2024, spending 90.8 billion euros, or 2.1% of its GDP. This achievement marks a significant step in Germany’s military modernization, largely driven by the aftermath of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, it still falls short of the 5% defence target former U.S. President Donald Trump demanded during his tenure, a goal that no NATO country, including the U.S., has reached. While Germany’s spending aligns with NATO’s collective defence strategy, Trump’s call for higher contributions from European allies remains a point of contention.

The "Zeitenwende" policy, launched after the Ukraine invasion, allocated 100 billion euros for military modernization. However, this fund is set to expire by 2028, raising concerns about Germany’s ability to maintain its defence commitments. Political challenges within Germany also complicate sustaining long-term military spending, with opposition parties questioning the fiscal sustainability of such investments. Despite these challenges, Germany’s defence strategy plays a crucial role in European and global security, and it will need to find ways to maintain or increase spending beyond 2028.

Germany's path forward will require addressing budgetary and political hurdles, including a projected 16 billion euro shortfall in 2025, to meet future NATO defence targets and ensure long-term military readiness.

https://gaekkul.blogspot.com/2025/01/germany-meets-nato-2-defence-goal-but.html

Germany Meets NATO 2% Defence Goal but Falls Short of Trump’s 5% Demand