Germany's decision to boost military spending has fueled debate, with officials and experts scrutinizing its feasibility and broader implications.
On March 18, Germany's new government passed an amendment to its Basic Law, allowing for increased borrowing to support defense, security, and aid to Ukraine.
The new policy removes debt ceilings for spending on defense, civil protection, intelligence agencies, and aid to conflict-affected countries that exceeds 1 percent of GDP. By the end of 2025, defense spending alone is projected to reach 3 percent of GDP, amounting to approximately 129 billion euros annually.
This significant increase has raised concerns among Germans, especially given the current financial constraints in education, research, and social welfare.
Critics argue that the increased military budget could come at the expense of other social programs, while others question whether this expansion will truly benefit Germany's economy or merely deepen its reliance on the U.S. military-industrial complex.
Rainer Rothfuss, a member of the federal parliament, voiced concerns about the policy's long-term impact.
"War and imagined military needs are being used as a temporary band-aid to save the German economy. But this is a bad sign. We must always remember that military spending is ultimately supported by taxes. If we want to increase military investment, we have to raise taxes on individuals and businesses, or cut other spending, or lower their priority, such as education, research, and development. These are the areas that keep the economy competitive in the long run. I deeply regret the government's policy on this," he said.
Despite efforts to grow its domestic military industry, Germany continues to rely heavily on U.S. technology and components. This reliance is particularly evident in the maintenance of military equipment sent to Ukraine, with many critical parts sourced from the U.S., raising questions about who truly benefits from Germany's military expansion.
Rainer Rupp, a German journalist, highlighted the deep entanglement of Germany's military industry with the U.S.
"Germany has no choice but to cooperate with the U.S. because many parts and technologies needed to produce large weapon systems are still imported from the U.S. In addition, the maintenance of our existing weapons also has to be done by the U.S. In other words, Germany's military industry is actually deeply dependent on the U.S. If the U.S. decides to ease relations with Russia and restore economic cooperation, Europe's military expansion may be meaningless," he said.
Joachim Bonatz, a German economic expert, pointed to the role of the U.S. military-industrial complex and media groups in driving the demand for increased arms production.
"The U.S. companies that want to increase arms production are part of the military-industrial complex. There are also media groups. They want to ensure a continuous flow of military orders," said Bonatz.
Germany's rising military expenditure sparks public debate
Germany's rising military expenditure sparks public debate
The mainland will never tolerate any Taiwan secessionist activities and will deal a strong blow to Lai Ching-te's rampant provocative behaviors, said a China Media Group (CMG) commentary on Tuesday.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started to conduct joint exercises around the Taiwan Island, with army, navy, air and rocket forces closing in on the island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the theater command.
Shi said the drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against separatist forces seeking "Taiwan secession", and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity.
On the same day, Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the exercises serve as a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te authorities' blatant "Taiwan secession" provocations, and a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The PLA is taking thunderous actions to sternly warn Lai Ching-te that "Taiwan secession" is a dead end, and seeking secession will only lead to self-destruction.
The exercises have shown that the PLA has more and more tools and means to target Taiwan separatists, with advanced fighters and vessels such as J-10, Y-20, Z-10, H-6K, J-20, and Type 054A frigate able to deafen and blind the separatist forces. Lai Ching-te's reckless moves will only result in his own crushing defeat in front of the impregnable fortress of the PLA's overwhelming strength.
As long as the "Taiwan secession" provocations continue, the PLA will never stop fighting. Every time Lai Ching-te takes rampant provocative action, the PLA will take a further step to advance its deterrence and punishment.
Lai Ching-te has recently blatantly defined the mainland as a "hostile force abroad" and put forward the so-called "Lai 17 Articles", inciting confrontations and undermining the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait. It is imperative to target and punish him for his arrogant attitude and rampant behaviors to seek secession.
The PLA drills, in which multiple ships and aircraft will get close to the Taiwan Island, and conduct sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive control, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes, are aimed at completely shattering Lai Ching-te authorities' fantasy of seeking "Taiwan secession" by force with foreign support, making it unable to bluff and deceive the people on the island.
Taiwan belongs to all the Chinese people. The PLA is always ready for fighting, can fight at any time, and will win if it fights. It aims to target Taiwan secessionist activities, by no means the ordinary Taiwan compatriots.
It is hoped that the compatriots in Taiwan will stand on the right side of history and work with their compatriots on the mainland to firmly oppose Taiwan secessionist forces and external interference, protect the common home of the Chinese nation, and create a bright future of national reunification and rejuvenation.
Mainland never tolerate any Taiwan secessionist activities
