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As the possibility of former President Donald Trump, a prominent presidential candidate for the U.S. Republican Party, running for re-election in this year’s U.S. election increases, discussions about increasing military spending have begun in Europe. This is because Trump has repeatedly demanded increases in responsibility-sharing from European member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
On the 31st (local time), the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that European high-ranking officials have begun discussions on how to prepare for and respond to the potential change in the U.S. administration. Previously, at a rally held in Las Vegas, USA, on the 27th, Trump said, “We’re spending money on NATO, but we’re not getting much in return,” and “I don’t think NATO member nations will help us if we’re attacked.”
At a town hall event hosted by Fox News on the 10th, regarding whether he would maintain his defense commitment to NATO if he regained power, Trump emphasized, “It depends on whether they treat us properly.” This is interpreted as suggesting that he will judge the implementation of the defense commitment to NATO by examining the sharing of support costs for Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia, and the increase in defense spending by European member nations.
An emphasis on responsibility-sharing among allies has been emphasized since Trump’s first term in office. As Trump is leading President Biden, a leading Democratic candidate, in U.S. presidential election polls, NATO member nations are in a state of tension.
The WSJ reported that, in relation to this, defense ministers from the 27 member nations of the European Union (EU) are scheduled to meet in Brussels, Belgium, today to discuss increasing defense spending. Poland and Sweden have met NATO’s recommended target of 2% of GDP for defense spending, and Germany is expected to exceed 2% of GDP in defense spending this year.
Last year, defense spending reached 2% of their GDP in 9 out of 29 NATO member nations, a significant increase from 2 nations in 2014.
Russia’s invasion of Crimea in Ukraine in 2014 influenced the increase in defense spending by NATO member nations. This year, it is expected that about half of NATO member nations will spend more than 2% of GDP on defense. However, the WSJ explained that many countries in Europe have struggled to increase defense spending due to weakening economic growth over the past few years.
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