Rubio says Nato members will agree to 5% defence spending over next decade
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says every Nato member is now spending more than 2 per cent of its GDP on defence.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 15 that all Nato members will have agreed on a goal of spending the equivalent to 5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence over the next decade by the 2025 Nato summit in June.
He made the comments while appearing on Fox News’ Hannity, a political talk programme.
US President Donald Trump cut defence funding to Nato during the latter part of his first term in 2017-21 and has frequently complained that America is paying more than its fair share.
“I can tell you that we are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of Nato will be at or above 2 per cent but, more importantly, many of them will be over 4 per cent, and all will have agreed on the goal of reaching 5 per cent over the next decade,” said Mr Rubio.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said this week that Berlin backed a demand by Mr Trump for members of the defence alliance to increase defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP.
Germany in January said it met Nato’s target of spending 2 per cent of its GDP on defence in 2024.
The summit will be held in the Netherlands from June 24 to 25. REUTERS