Germany’s Federal Armed Forces Inspector, Carsten Breuer, has expressed skepticism over US President Donald Trump’s proposal to allocate five percent of the country’s GDP to defense spending. In an interview with RTL and ntv, Breuer stated, “Trump was trying to provoke and he certainly managed to spark a discussion again. And I believe that was his intention.”
Breuer emphasized that the five percent figure is unrealistic, not only in terms of what could be invested, but also in terms of the actual output that would result. “It’s not just about what can be injected into the system, but also about what can be achieved in the end” he said, highlighting the importance of a robust defense industry.
The General Inspector believes that a more gradual approach is necessary, stating, “We’re taking a sensible approach and one thing is clear: if Trump mentions the five percent or implies something else, he’s talking about the need for Europe and for Germany, to take a stronger role in security and defense.”
Breuer emphasized the need for Germany to take responsibility for its own security, saying, “We can no longer rely on others to come and secure our future for us. We must take care of our own security.” He believes that this is the right approach and that the current discussion is a chance to focus on realistic numbers.
As the highest-ranking military official in the German Armed Forces, Breuer views the current NATO target of two percent as the “lower limit.” “Whether it’s two percent, three percent, or more, that will be seen when the plans are laid out and the demands are derived from them, because we will shape the entire process.