Friedrich Merz Tells Donald Trump Germany Will Assume More NATO Responsibility Ahead of Ankara Summit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday that Germany is ready to assume greater responsibility for European security as the two leaders discussed preparations for next week’s NATO summit in Ankara.

In a phone call, Merz emphasized the “special bond” between the German and American people, and spokesman Stefan Kornelius said, “NATO is becoming more European so that it can remain transatlantic.”

20 Minutes

The exchange came after Trump renewed criticism of European NATO allies, particularly Germany, accusing them of failing to share the alliance’s burden and spending too little on defense.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that it was “Ridiculous for the U.S.A. to continue along this one sided path when the relationship is not reciprocal. They were not there for us!!!”

The Ankara summit is expected to include discussions on Europe’s defense responsibilities and Washington’s long-term commitment to NATO, with Merz and Trump agreeing to continue their conversation in person in the Turkish capital.

At a meeting in Berlin with Baltic leaders on Friday, Merz played up German defense spending efforts shortly after Trump’s renewed criticism.

Merz told journalists, “Germany is doubling its defense budget within four years,” and said, “we are doing so as the European Union's largest member state, bearing a responsibility within Europe.”

Al Jazeera

DW reported that Germany’s defense spending is slated to rise to 3.5% of GDP by 2029, while NATO members agreed to boost spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 at a summit in the Netherlands.

The same DW account said Merz would bring up Germany’s defense spending figures at the Ankara summit, where NATO leaders including Trump are expected to affirm an “ironclad commitment” to collective defense under Article 5.

DW also reported that Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda said he initiated a constitutional amendment to remove a restriction on deploying nuclear weapons on Lithuanian soil, and Merz said he “noted with respect” Lithuania’s move so it is prepared to defend its territory and that of NATO.

As NATO leaders prepare to meet in Ankara, Merz told reporters Germany would reach the 3.5 percent benchmark set in The Hague as early as 2029, “well ahead of the agreed deadline”.

“Trump–Merz call: Germany ready to take on more responsibilities within NATO - Chancellor Merz tells Trump that 'NATO is becoming more European'; the two leaders agree to continue their discussions at next week's summit in the Turkish capital July 3, 2026 • Updated: July 3, 2026 AA / Berlin German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told U”

Anadolu Ajansı

Al Jazeera reported that Trump said Germany’s spending was “MUCH LOWER” between 2014 and 2025 than the US or other NATO allies, which he again called “Ridiculous!”

Time described Trump’s latest argument that it is “ridiculous” for the United States to maintain its current level of support for NATO “when the relationship is not reciprocal,” and it said Trump posted a chart comparing contributions from NATO members.

Time also reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a review of U.S. military troops in Europe that “will examine America's force posture and basing in Europe” and could last up to six months.

The same Time account said a NATO official told TIME that European allies have responded swiftly to Washington’s plan to begin reducing the military assets it dedicates to NATO, framed as addressing an “unhealthy co-dependence in the NATO Force Model on U.S. forces.”