Merz hits back after Trump brands NATO defence budgets 'ridiculous'

NAMPA / DPA

2026-07-03

Berlin (dpa) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday rejected renewed criticism by US President Donald Trump, who described European NATO allies' defence spending budgets as "ridiculous," singling out Germany in particular. Germany is in the process of doubling its defence budget within four years, Merz said in Berlin after a meeting with Baltic heads of state and government. "This is the greatest effort we have ever made to strengthen our d......

Restricted content

Politics

Merz says he respects Lithuania's bid to host nuclear weapons

2026-07-03 17:30:17

German officials commemorate Jews deported to Latvia during Holocaust

2026-07-03 17:00:46

Far fewer people applying for asylum in Germany

2026-07-03 15:30:35

German journalists slam planned reform of Freedom of Information Act

2026-07-03 15:30:35

German man, 85, dies while in ICE custody in the US

2026-07-03 14:30:19

Police ready for deployment at German far-right AfD party conference

2026-07-03 13:30:24

Germany hails ties on 250th birthday of US - but hints at concern

2026-07-03 13:00:23

Germany hails ties on 250th birthday of US - but hints at concern

2026-07-03 13:00:22

Archivist stumbles upon 'vanishingly rare' US independence document

2026-07-03 09:00:18

Wadephul in Brasília to push Mercosur deal as Germany eyes minerals

2026-07-03 08:02:23

Iran

2026-07-03 06:30:08

Latest NAMPA photos

ONANDJABA, 02 July 2026 – Chairperson of the Onandjaba Village Council, Erkki Kandjaba. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

ONANDJABA, 02 July 2026 – Chairperson of the Onandjaba Village Council, Erkki Kandjaba. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

MARIENTAL, 02 July 2026 - The NamPower Foundation has donated baby care essentials to vulnerable mothers in the Hardap Rural Constituency. (Photo: Joe-Chintha Garises) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 01 July 2026 - Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, and the United States of America's Ambassador to Namibia, John Giordano, pictured at the USA's 250th Independence Day celebrations in Windhoek. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

NAMPA

GIBEON, 01 July 2026 - Residents of Gibeon have petitioned the Namibian Police Force’s Hardap regional commander, calling for an urgent investigation into allegations of police brutality and abuse of authority at the Gibeon Police Station. (Photo: Contributed)

NAMPA

OPUWO, 01 July 2026 - Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa and the governor of Kunene Region, Vipuakuje Muharukua, during a stakeholder engagement on Wednesday in Opuwo. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

NAMPA

MPUNGU, 01 July 2026 - The construction of classrooms is underway at Cause Primary School in the Mpungu Constituency. (Photo: Lylie Joel) NAMPA

NAMPA

MPUNGU, 01 July 2026 - The construction of classrooms is underway at Cause Primary School in the Mpungu Constituency (Photo by: Lylie Joel) NAMPA

NAMPA