Donald Trump’s NATO criticism sparks German call for greater European defence responsibility

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said that President Donald Trump is "right in the matter" about NATO burden‑sharing, arguing that Germany has relied too much on the United States and must assume more responsibility for its own and Europe’s security. Wadephul highlighted the recent NATO summit in Ankara, noting the alliance’s commitment of €140 billion in additional aid for Ukraine and stressing that a full US troop withdrawal from Europe is not planned, even as the United States shifts focus to the Indo‑Pacific.

At the same time, analysts note that Trump is pressuring European allies to increase defence spending and buy US‑made weapons, warning they could face a withdrawal of US protection if they do not meet his demands. NATO officials say the United States is leveraging the alliance for economic gains, with Europe’s defence budgets rising to about $120 billion last year, half of which already funds US equipment. The tension reflects a broader shift in NATO from a values‑based security pact toward a partnership increasingly influenced by US commercial interests.