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Not Good Enough: Trump Blasts NATO Allies Over Defence Spending; Demands Immediate Hikes In Military Budgets
Swarajya Staff
Jul 12, 2018, 06:46 PM | Updated 06:46 PM IST
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After attending annual North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) annual summit in Brussels, United States (US) President Donald Trump tweeted out his displeasure with NATO allies over their defence budget, ANI has reported.
Trump is reportedly forcing the US’ NATO allies to increase their defence expenditure from current less than two percent of GDP to four percent. Trump also complained that the US bears unfair share of expenses for Europe's defence costs.
What good is NATO if Germany is paying Russia billions of dollars for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 out of 29 countries that have met their commitment? The U.S. is paying for Europeâs protection, then loses billions on Trade. Must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not by 2025.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018
In 2014, NATO nations had agreed to move towards spending two percent of their GDPs on defence by the year 2025.
The meeting moved on expected lines amid deteriorating relations between the US and NATO. Trump further said that only five out of 29 NATO members had met the two percent GDP expenditure on defence and asked rest of the members to adhere to the promise immediately and not by 2025.
Billions of additional dollars are being spent by NATO countries since my visit last year, at my request, but it isnât nearly enough. U.S. spends too much. Europeâs borders are BAD! Pipeline dollars to Russia are not acceptable!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 11, 2018
Trump also took issue with the nations continuing to depend on Russia for their energy requirements, a country his opponents back home allege he colluded with during presidential elections.
Trump in particular targeted Germany, seen as the leader of European NATO nations for paying Russia, while depending on the US for its security.
....On top of it all, Germany just started paying Russia, the country they want protection from, Billions of Dollars for their Energy needs coming out of a new pipeline from Russia. Not acceptable! All NATO Nations must meet their 2% commitment, and that must ultimately go to 4%!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2018
Trump’s arm-twisting tactics have led to an unprecedented upheaval in the global world order, with the US increasingly at odds with traditional allies. The disruption in defence ties with NATO nations comes amidst the threat of a trade war with trading partners like China and Europe.
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