Pentagon: Trump administration seeks to reduce its financial contribution to NATO

by **claud39** Thu Nov 28, 2019 2:46 pm

[size=30]Pentagon: Trump administration seeks to reduce its financial contribution to NATO[/size]

28/11/2019

Pentagon: Trump administration seeks to reduce its financial contribution to NATO Thumbnail.php?file=157496616553895500_274764202

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Donald Trump administration is moving to cut its contribution to NATO's collective budget dramatically, CNN said on Thursday.

Citing unnamed Pentagon officials, the network said the Trump administration was seeking to reduce its contribution to about 16 percent, bringing it closer to Germany, which provides 14.8 percent despite a larger US economy.

The US and other officials in the "NATO", it is expected to compensate other members of the Alliance that the shortfall by reducing the US contribution, according to the news network.

A NATO official said: "All allies have agreed on a new cost-sharing formula.

"This is an important demonstration of the allies' commitment to the alliance and a more equitable burden-sharing," the official said.

A diplomat in the "NATO", that the new version was approved this week.

A Pentagon official said the money provided by the United States would help fund other US military and security efforts in Europe, including programs in countries such as Ukraine and Georgia, which are not members of the alliance, which are seen as being on the front line with Russia.

The network considered the reduction of Washington's contribution to the budget a symbolic step comes as many continue to question Trump's commitment to the coalition, as he prepares to attend a summit to celebrate his 70th anniversary in London next week.

Previously, the United States provided about 22 percent of NATO's direct funding, which covers the cost of maintaining its headquarters, joint security investments and some joint military operations.

According to the network that the direct budget of NATO is relatively small, amounting to about $ 2.5 billion, which is separate from the national defense budgets, which NATO recommends to reach 2 percent of GDP.

Trump has long criticized NATO allies, particularly Germany, for failing to meet the goal of 2 percent of NATO's defense spending, which is met by only eight of the current 29 members.

All members have pledged to reach the 2 percent level by 2024, but not all have plans to do so, and member states have sharply boosted defense spending in recent years, as Trump has called for.

NATO officials, including Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, have credited Trump with rising spending, spending an additional $ 100 billion since 2014, but also acknowledged the growing threat from Russia after its takeover of Crimea.

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