NATO defence bust-up looms

DONALD Trump signalled a NATO bust-up today over countries that do not meet the pledge to spend 2% of national income on defence.

Just five of its 29 nations, the UK among them, pay the minimum.

Before leaving for Brussels, Mr Trump said the US was “spending many times more than any other country”. His tweet added: “Not fair to the US taxpayer. NATO must pay MORE, US must pay LESS.”

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg was ready for “robust discussions” and it is feared Mr Trump could plunge the alliance into the worst crisis in its 69-year history.

But Kay Bailey Hutchison, his NATO ambassador, denied he was “walking away” believing he would “make a firm commitment” to the allies’ system of collective defence.