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UK Plans Defense Spending Hike to 2.5% of GDP to Appease Trump, NATO Chief Agrees

Nov 9, 2024, 12:31 AM

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has expressed agreement with former U.S. President Donald Trump's call for increased defense spending by NATO member countries. At the European Political Community summit in Budapest, Rutte emphasized the need for NATO countries to spend more than 2% of their GDP on defense. This stance aligns with Trump's longstanding criticism of Europe's defense contributions. In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to increase the UK's military budget to 2.5% of GDP, a move seen as a gesture to improve relations with Trump, who has threatened to pull the US out of NATO unless Europe boosts its defense spending. Currently, UK defense spending stands at about 2.2% of GDP, with the increase expected to be announced in the spring.