In an almost raw assumption he proceeded yesterday (9.7.25) for her new Chancellor role Germany, Friedrich Mertzduring a joint press conference with his secretary -general NATOMark Rutte, in Berlin.
Specifically, Mertz not only noted (as already known, of course, as they have already stated that they will reach their defense spending at 3.5% by 2029!) How the Germans are ‘Ready’ to ‘Fulfill’ Their “obligations” (NATO), but did the following critical and not so … diplomatic observation: “If Germany had not followed this road, the NATO summit in The Hague would almost certainly have evolved differently.”.
And he added by saying that “from this point of view, we have not done anything only for ourselves, but we have done something for our common security in Europe and we will continue to do so. I am pleased that NATO Secretary General sees it. “
In other words, according to the Merz statement, even the Secretary General of his own … NATO, Rutte, is that the recent NATO meeting (June 24-25, Hague) may have … wrecked, if it was not Germany, ” Donald Trump).
Naturally, The importance of mertz assumption not only has a past character but Primarily the future, as it means that without the (future) increase in German defense spending, the NATO target for 5% of GDP may be wrecked by 2035, with the first and foremost hub “at the latest by 2029” -In earlier statement by Mertz -and not in 2029 as provided by the official NATO announcements.
Consequently, From whether, how and when – that is, at what rate – how to achieve the new NATO goal, Germany will be judged by whether and when and when the NATO goal will achieve all of Europe.
Out of this view Germany’s role in Europe is upgraded as it will no longer be the “locomotive” of the European economy, but also claims the role of the “locomotive” of European military defense.
As Rutte said in a press conference, “within a few years, Germany will have more than doubled its defense spending from about 70 billion euros a few years ago to 150 billion euros by 2029”.
“This is precisely the determination we need,” Rutte added, leaving no doubt about which EU country considers a model for increasing its defense expenditure.
It remains to be seen whether Merz -Rutte’s sympathy in relation to Mertz’s decisive role to avoid a NATO Summit 2 weeks ago and above all to avoid a shipwreck of his decisions can be made by EU – Trump, as can be avoided.
The association of NATO and the EU re -equipment objectives with duties was made by European Council President Antonio Costa himself, following the EU Summit on June 26 – 27, 2025 (ie immediately after the NATO meeting), saying that “then,” That is why I always say that negotiations on defense cannot be separated from commercial. For the United States, this was the most important issue – and has now been resolved. “
By coincidence, Mertz is one of those European leaders who are pushing for a rapid agreement with the US on tariffs.