Trump: All NATO countries have to allocate 5% of GDP for defense except the US

US President Donald Trump believes that all NATO countries should spend 5% of GDP on defense except the US.

Source: Trump while communicating with journalists, “European Truth”

Details: The journalist asked Trump if he still believes that NATO countries should allocate 5% of GDP for defense. The US President said he believes that he should be, but spoke about the United States in this matter.

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“I do not think we should. But I think NATO should, absolutely accurately. We have been supporting NATO for so many years. In many cases, we think we have paid almost 100% of all costs. So I do not think that we should, but NATO countries – yes, absolutely,” Trump said.

On the clarifying question about Spain, which this week has been publicly opposed to the Alliance plan to increase the defensive costs to 3.5% of GDP and related to defense expenditures – up to 1.5% of GDP, the US President said that “NATO should deal with” with the country.

“Spain always allocated very little. They have always been – they paid very little. Spain must pay as much as everyone else. Spain is known for its low payments,” he said.

Trump also did not refrain from criticism of Canada.

“Do you know who else paid the least? Country known as Canada. Because Canada said,” Why pay if the United States will protect us for free? “,” The American leader added.

Recall that Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez sent a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte with a request to consider the “flexible formula” of defense expenses.

This position of Madrid caused outrage by other NATO members who fear that it could disrupt a compromise designed to satisfy US President Donald Trump.

The media wrote that permanent representatives of the North Atlantic Alliance on Friday, June 20, were urgently met to discuss Spain’s blocking agreement on increasing defense costs.

Also read the EP article about what is preparing for Ukraine and the NATO Summit in Hague.