New five percent goal: NATO: decline in the event of growth in defense spending

The European NATO countries and Canada are expected to increase their defense spending this year less than in the past year. Specifically, after now published estimates, an increase of 15.9 percent is expected to $ 559 billion ($ 479 billion). Last year there was an increase of an estimated 18.6 percent.

The Europeans and Canada remain clearly behind the USA. According to NATO’s comparative figures, their defense expenditure will probably amount to around $ 845 billion this year. The proportion of American editions in total expenditure is still disproportionately large.

However, a NATO spokesman pointed out that because of the long unclear budget situation, only expenses of two percent of the gross domestic product have so far been calculated. Accordingly, the difference could decrease somewhat if the federal budget is passed for the current year and Berlin presents new higher figures.

31 states expect two percent

Already in June, NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte had announced on the basis of the figures registered by the Member States that, apart from Iceland, all Member States wanted at least two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) for defense this year. This achieves a target in 2014 with one year delay.

However, there is no time to rest for most NATO countries. At the summit at the end of June, under the pressure of US President Donald Trump, it was now agreed to invest at least one amount of 3.5 percent of national GDP in defense in the future. In addition, another 1.5 percent for defense -relevant expenses – for example for infrastructure – should come. Overall, a quota of five percent is to be achieved.