Trump threat rattles Nato

DEFENCE SPENDING: ‘ATTACK COUNTRIES PAYING TOO LITTLE’

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg yesterday said 18 of the alliance’s 31 countries are set to hit its defence spending target this year, after Donald Trump threatened to encourage Russia to attack members not coughing up enough..

The Republican White House frontrunner was widely rebuked after saying he would not defend Nato members who had not met their financial obligations, in his most extreme broadside yet against the organisation.

Stoltenberg laid out new defence spending estimates showing the number of states reaching 2% of gross domestic product was expected to jump from 11 in 2023.

“That is another record number and a six-fold increase from 2014 when only three allies met the target,” Stoltenberg said.

The Nato chief did not provide a breakdown of which allies are hitting the target.

Trump’s comments in a Saturday stump speech drew condemnation from leaders including US President Joe Biden – whom he looks set to face in November’s election – and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Scholz warned that casting doubt on Nato’s collective defence guarantee which has safeguarded Europe since World War II was “irresponsible and dangerous”.

Nato in 2014 set a target for members to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defence in response to Russia’s seizure of Crimea from Ukraine.

During his time as president, Trump railed against Washington’s Nato allies to pressure them to spend more on defence – and claimed credit for increased spending.

Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a wake-up call for European countries and saw Nato turn the 2% figure into a minimum requirement.

Key players such as Germany have ramped up their spending. But the US still accounts for the vast bulk of combined defence spending by Nato members.

Trump’s broadside against US allies has raised the nightmarish spectre for European officials of Washington tanking the 75-yearold alliance if he is re-elected.

It comes as warnings swirl that Russian President Vladimir Putin could look to target alliance members if Ukraine loses the war.

Stoltenberg said any suggestions that allies won’t defend each other “undermines all of our security” and puts US and European soldiers at greater risk.

France said Europe needs another “life insurance” policy in addition to Nato to ensure the security of the continent.

Various diplomats said the US remains fundamental to deterring the Russian threat. –