Germany's new government surprised NATO allies on Thursday by putting forward plans to boost defense spending, to meet a target of 5% of GDP demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the pledge a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, in office for just over a week, said his coalition government intends to have "the strongest conventional army in Europe."
NATO chief Mark Rutte has floated a plan for members to hit the 5% goal by spending 3.5% of GDP on military spending and 1.5% on other security measures such as infrastructure and cyber defense.
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