Trump may quit Nato ‘unless Britain boosts spending on defence’
But Mr Trump’s strong criticism of Nato has raised fears that he could pull US troops out of Europe.
The centre-right think-tank said: “The UK cannot be complacent about the continuing existence of Nato: a world without the alliance would be even more fractious and less secure, while giving up on Nato would be ‘whimsical, reckless, selfharming and self-defeating’.”
It said if the UK takes survival of Nato seriously, the bare minimum it must do is to commit to a graduated increase in defence spending.
It urged the Government to make leaps towards spending three per cent of GDP on defence “should the geopolitical situation demand it”.
Its report added: “This will enable the UK to lead the way to quell American concerns about the failure of European partners to commit more funds to their own national defence.” The study was backed by former Defence Secretaries Lord Robertson, the ex-Nato Director General, and Sir Michael Fallon.
Mr Trump faces a round of protests but he will stay out of London and miss a “Trump baby” blimp being flown over Parliament. Last week the Daily Express revealed that Mr Trump is set to offer Britain a post-Brexit “zero tariff” trade pact.
Mrs May said the trans-Atlantic alliance will be at the centre of her talks with Mr Trump.
She said: “We’re meeting the Nato pledge. A limited number of other Nato countries are meeting it. I would urge everybody to work towards that.”
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has backed a Governmentcommissioned study that found UK defence plays an “integral role” in prosperity, employing 500,000 and generating £7billion in exports.