US President Donald Trump urges NATO members to double the target

US President Donald Trump urged NATO allies to spend 4% of their annual output (GDP) on military spending – double the current goal

The White House confirmed having made these remarks at the summit of the Western Military Alliance in Brussels

M. Trump also criticized Germany for its defense spending. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the main goal should be that all members reach the current target of 2% of GDP.

million. Stoltenberg refused to answer a question about Mr Trump's remarks. We should first reach 2%, focus on that now … the good thing is that we are going there. "

For decades after the end of the cold war, he said, NATO countries had reduced their defense budgets.Tensions have decreased – and now they had to be increased at a time when tensions increased

Previous US presidents urged Europe to take more responsibility for their defense and to reduce the burden on US taxpayers Cold war Confirming comments from Trump, the spokesman from the White House, Sarah Sanders, said: "President Trump wants to see our allies share more burden and, at the very least, meet their already stated obligations."

The Brussels meeting comes under less pressure. a week before Trump holds his first summit with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, reviving the concerns of US allies about his proximity to the Russian president.

The main objection of Mr. Trump is that all but a few Member States have still not increased their defense budgets to reach the goal of spending at least 2% of their annual economic output in defense of their own. here 2024.

Of the 29 members of NATO, only five achieve this goal this year: the United States, Greece, Estonia, the United Kingdom and Latvia.

However, many of them, like Poland and France, are close to reality.

million. Stoltenberg insisted that NATO be more united

"We had discussions, we have disagreements, but mostly decisions that push this alliance forward and reinforce us."

The 29 members of NATO issued a statement that reaffirmed a commitment The communique also condemned "the Russian aggression", including the annexation of Crimea, the use of A neurotoxic agent in southern England and "electoral interference".

What did Trump say about Germany?

million. Trump clashed with Merkel before the summit

The US president accused Germany of spending "just over 1%" of its economic output for defense against the 4.2% spent by the United States "in real terms Germany spends 1.24% of GDP on defense and 3.5% in the United States, according to NATO's latest estimate.

The ruler American also said: "Germany is totally controlled by Russia because it will go from 60% to 70% of their energy in I think it's a very bad thing for the company. 39; NATO. "

EU figures suggest that Russia is responsible for between 50% and 75% of Germany's gas imports, but gas accounts for less than 20% of Germany's energy mix for the electricity production

Trump made more conciliatory remarks on Wednesday after meeting with Merkel on the sidelines of the Brussels summit.

"We have very, very good relations with the Chancellor. We have a great relationship with Germany, "said Mr. Trump.

But he then reiterated his criticisms of Germany and other allies:

What is the purpose of NATO if Germany pays billions of dollars to Russia for gas and energy? Why are there only 5 of the 29 countries that have honored their commitment? The United States pays for the protection of Europe, loses billions on trade and must pay 2% of GDP IMMEDIATELY, not before 2025.

– Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 11 July 2018

Merkel reacted by comparing German independence at the time when she grew up in the former East Germany, a satellite of the Union.

journalists: "I am very happy that today we are united in freedom as the Federal Republic of Germany. Because of that, we can say that we can make our policies independent and make independent decisions. "