Trump suggests NATO countries to double defence spending

July 12, 2018
Washington: US President Donald Trump suggested the NATO countries to increase their defence spending to 4 per cent — doubling the 2 per cent target that many members of the bloc were yet to meet.

“During the President’s remarks today (Wednesday) at the NATO summit, he suggested that countries not only meet their commitment of 2 per cent of their GDP on defence spending, but that they increase it to 4 per cent,” CNN quoted White House press secretary Sarah Sanders as saying in a statement.

She said Trump “raised this same issue” at NATO last year.

“President Trump wants to see our allies share more of the burden and at a very minimum meet their already stated obligations,” Sanders added.

But according to NATO data, the US doesn’t even spend as much as Trump is calling on other countries to.

Earlier Wednesday, Trump said the US “in actual numbers”, is spending 4.2 per cent of its GDP on defence.

However, according to numbers released by NATO on Tuesday, the US is expected to spend an estimated 3.5 per cent of the GDP on defence in 2018 which is lower than last year’s number, at 3.57 per cent.

Trump has long complained that NATO members were not meeting their fiscal obligations to the alliance, reports CNN.

“Many countries in NATO, which we are expected to defend, are not only short of their current commitment of 2 per cent (which is low), but are also delinquent for many years in payments that have not been made. Will they reimburse the US?” Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Trump singled out Germany for particular criticism as he continued to assail NATO allies for failing to spend 2 per cent of their GDP on defence spending, a target NATO allies agreed to meet by 2024.

“Germany is just paying a little bit over 1 per cent… So I think that’s inappropriate also. You know, we’re protecting Germany, we’re protecting France. We’re protecting everybody. And yet we’re paying a lot of money to protect” Trump said during a breakfast with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

Addressing the media following Trump’s comments, German Chancellor Angela Merkel touted the country’s contributions to NATO and in defence of US interests.

“Germany also does a lot for NATO. We are the second largest donor of troops, we put most of our military abilities into the service of NATO and we are strongly committed in Afghanistan, where we also defend the interests of the US,” Merkel said upon arriving at NATO headquarters Wednesday. (IANS)

‘Horrendous’: SC on Bilkis Bano case, issues notice on plea against release of 11 convicts

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a petition filed by 2002 Gujarat riots victim Bilkis Bano against the premature release of 11 persons convicted...

Eviction notice sent to Rahul Gandhi to vacate govt bungalow

New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) After being disqualified as a Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi has been asked to vacate his government bungalow in Tughlak lane in Delhi's Lutyen's zone, sources...

Close aide of pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh arrested in Punjab

Chandigarh: As the hunt of 'Waris Punjab De' chief and fugitive pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh is still on, the separatist leader's close aide and gunman, who is an ex-serviceman, was...

Indian Embassy in Kathmandu claims Amritpal Singh hiding in Nepal

Kathmandu: The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has claimed that absconding pro-Khalistan radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh is currently hiding in Nepal and requested the Himalayan nation's government agencies to arrest...

Tunisia retrieves 29 bodies of illegal immigrants off coast

Tunis: Tunisian coast guards have retrieved 29 bodies of illegal immigrants after two boats sank off Tunisian coasts, Tunisian National Guard said. Houcemeddine Jbabli, Tunisian National Guard's spokesman, told Xinhua...

Manish Tewari moves adjournment notice against Rahul’s disqualification

New Delhi: Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday moved an adjournment notice in the Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification. The notice states, "That this House do suspend Zero Hour...

Mid-air collision between Air India, Nepal Airlines aircraft averted, 2 suspended

  New Delhi: A major accident was averted on Friday when an Air India and Nepal Airlines aircraft came close to colliding with each other over Kathmandu, reports said on...

Vigilance tightened along Manipur’s border with Myanmar

Imphal:  Amid reports of clashes between the Myanmar Army and the resistance group People's Defence Force in Myanmar along the Indian border in the last few days, the Manipur government...

Hindu militant body Sanatan Sanstha ‘a spiritual body imparting education on dharma’: Bombay HC

In a significant ruling, the Bombay High Court noted that militant Hindu organization Sanatan Sanstha is not a banned or terrorist organisation under the UAPA Instead, the organization is considered...

India reaches out to FATF, Egmont Group to rein in Khalistani groups active in several countries

India has reached out to international organisations such as Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to seek their help to tackle secessionist...

India summons Canadian envoy over Khalistan protests, seeks explanation

New Delhi: India has lodged a strong protest with the Canadian government and summoned the high commissioner over Khalistan protests outside the Indian missions and consulates over the last few...

Rahul changes his Twitter bio, writes Dis’qualified MP

New Delhi: Two days after getting disqualified from the Lok Sabha, Congress Rahul Gandhi on Sunday changed his Twitter bio and wrote 'Dis'Qualified MP'. His Twitter bio now reads as,...

Read Previous

Assam raises new force for protection of one-horned rhinos

Read Next

FIFA World Cup: Croatia beat England 2-1 to enter final for first time (

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

WP2Social Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com