Trump suggests NATO allies spend more on defence

Trump raised the idea at a closed-door meeting with fellow NATO leaders in Brussels having spent the week criticising other countries' contributions.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab & agencies

11 July, 2018

Trump met with NATO allies at the summit in Brussels on Wednesday [Getty]

US President Donald Trump has suggested that NATO allies commit to spending 4 percent of their GDP on defence, up from the current target of 2 percent by 2024.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Trump raised the idea at a closed-door meeting with fellow NATO leaders Wednesday in Brussels.

It's unclear by what date he'd like to see the increase, AP reported.

Trump has been pressing member countries to spend more on defence, accusing them of freeloading off the US.

NATO estimates that 15 members, or just over half, will meet the benchmark by 2024 based on current trends.