AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais
US President Donald Trump said in an unscheduled news conference on July 12 that all NATO member states have agreed to increase their defense spending after he told them he was “extremely unhappy.”
“I told people that I’d be very unhappy if they didn’t up their financial commitments substantially,” Trump said. “I let them know that I was extremely unhappy with what was happening, and they have now substantially upped their commitment.”
If Trump’s remarks are true, NATO member states would increase their defense spending beyond 2% of their GDP.
“NATO is much stronger now than it was two days ago,” Trump announced.
However, Trump’s “spending victory” appeared to be untrue immediately.
According to AP, French President Emmanuel Macron denied that the NATO members had agreed to boost defense spending.
“There is a communique that was published yesterday. It’s very detailed,” Macroc said. “It confirms the goal of 2 percent by 2024. That’s all.”
Macron went further adding he does not believe it would be a good idea for NATO members to raise the defense spending to 4% of GDP from 2% as Trump suggested.
