The NATO summit in Ankara starts on Tuesday with a dinner and ends on Wednesday with a working session. Member states discuss defense spending and arms purchases.
The US government is urging its European partners and Canada to invest significant portions of their defense spending in weapons systems from US manufacturers. This shapes the meeting of heads of state and government.
The German government seeks greater independence and wants to buy European weapons systems where possible. For rapid rearmament of the Bundeswehr, however, Berlin is turning to US equipment, such as modern fighter jets and air defense.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz hopes that the German billions to US corporations will convince Trump of the value of the alliance. "I hope that together we succeed in awakening a spirit of Ankara," the chancellor said before his departure.
