Germany rejects US call to rise NATO defense spending

Germany rejects US call to rise NATO defense spending

Germany has rejected calls by the US and other NATO partners to increase defense spending.

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said it was quite unrealistic to believe Germany would spend two percent of its economic output on the military.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told his counterparts in Brussels that by next Nato summit there should be a commitment to demonstrate how each country would meet its spending commitments.

Germany currently spends 1.2% on defence.