Canada expects to reach Nato's defence spending target by 2032, Trudeau says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a meeting at NATO's 75th anniversary summit in Washington, U.S., July 10, 2024. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Follow topic:
OTTAWA - Canada expects to increase its defence spending to the Nato target of 2% of gross domestic product by 2032, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday, in Ottawa's first timeline commitment to meet the target amid mounting pressure from the United States and other allies.
"Canada fully expects to reach Nato's 2% of GDP spending target by 2032," Trudeau told reporters in Washington, where he is attending a summit of Nato leaders.
Ottawa has been under pressure from Washington to boost defence spending. In May, U.S. senators wrote to Trudeau, urging him to increase defence spending to the Nato target.
Canada currently spends about 1.4% of GDP on defence and, in a defence policy update in April, announced plans to raise military expenditure to 1.76% of GDP by 2030.
"We have built in a regular cycle of review in Canada's defence, including a new defence policy update in 2028. Through that process, we will continue to explore opportunities that will further increase defence spending," he said.
The defence ministry said Canada will invest in "the right mix of these additional capabilities" outlined in the April policy update to reach the 2% target by 2032. REUTERS
