Germany urges EU to bolster defense capabilities amid concerns over Trump’s foreign policy

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged European countries to take greater responsibility for their own security, emphasizing the need for increased defense spending and cooperation in light of recent geopolitical developments.

“We as the European Union, as Europeans, must do what is necessary for our security. This will only be successful if everyone does their part,” he told reporters ahead of an informal EU leaders’ summit in Budapest.

The chancellor's remarks came in the wake of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, which has reignited concerns across European capitals about the future of transatlantic relations and the president-elect's commitment to NATO and European security.

Scholz highlighted Germany's efforts to assume more responsibility for Europe's security, noting that with the significant increase in defense spending, the country is now meeting NATO's 2% defense spending goal. He also called on other European nations to follow suit.

"It is not only about individual contributions, but also about collaboration, cooperation, and joint projects to enable greater common security," he added.

Chancellor Scholz said European leaders have discussed the US election outcome and future relations with the incoming Trump administration during their dinner Thursday night.

“The US is actually Europe’s most important ally. We are working together for our security in transatlantic cooperation and within NATO,” he said.

“We will continue to work well with the future American president, and the question of how this can succeed was precisely the subject of our discussion,” he added.

The German leader also emphasized the importance of greater solidarity and unity among EU member states, particularly in light of anticipated shifts in US foreign policy under the incoming administration.

“Europe, the world is facing great challenges. War has returned to Europe. Russia has invaded Ukraine and is continuing this war with the same brutality,” he said.

“In the Middle East too, we see a constant danger of the conflict there escalating further. For this reason, it is necessary and right that Europe, the European Union, sticks together and is strong together,” Scholz added.

During his previous term, Trump publicly criticized European allies for not meeting NATO’s defense spending target of 2% of GDP. He argued that the US was shouldering an unfair burden of NATO's costs and threatened to withdraw from the alliance if other members did not increase their contributions.

Trump and his Republican Party have been far less supportive of helping Ukraine in its fight against Russia.