Germany says it will abandon its NATO spending commitments

Germany says it will abandon its NATO spending commitments and invest less than promised, sparking US anger after Trump criticised European allies for expecting a free ride Berlin's latest budget will see defence spending drop well below two per cent Donald Trump has accused Germany of freeloading on U.S. military might Washington's ambassador in Berlin said planned cuts were a 'worrisome signal' But Angela Merkel said Germany would not cut aid to raise its military outlays

By Tim Stickings For Mailonline and Afp

Published: 14:44 GMT, 19 March 2019 | Updated: 14:54 GMT, 19 March 2019

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Germany's military spending is set to fall below its NATO targets, in the latest flashpoint in Berlin's long-running row with Washington. 

The latest German budget plans, revealed on Monday, will see defence spending drop well below the two per cent of GDP expected from NATO members. 

U.S. ambassador Richard Grenell said the cuts were a 'worrisome signal', while President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused Germany of freeloading on U.S. military might. 

But German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected the U.S. criticism, saying Germany will not cut foreign aid to raise military spending. 

U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, pictured in Geneva yesterday, said Berlin's planned defence cuts were a 'worrisome signal'

U.S. ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, pictured in Geneva yesterday, said Berlin's planned defence cuts were a 'worrisome signal'

Merkel said today that 'we will continue our effort' in terms of raising defence spending, 'but not at the

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