American President Donald Trump believes that all NATO countries should spend 5% of GDP on defense, except the United States.
He stated this during a conversation with journalists.
A reporter asked Trump whether he still believes that NATO countries should allocate 5% of GDP on defense. To this, the American President stated that he believes that it should be so, but spoke about the United States on this issue.
"I don't think we should. But I think NATO countries should, absolutely. We have supported NATO for so many years. In many cases, I think, we have paid almost 100% of all the costs. So I don't think we should, but NATO countries - yes, absolutely," Trump said.
Asked about Spain, which this week publicly opposed the alliance's plan to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP and defense-related spending to 1.5% of GDP, the US President said that "NATO has to deal with" the country.
"Spain has always allocated very little. It's always been that way - they paid very little. Spain should pay the same as everyone else. Spain is known for its low payments," he said.
Trump also could not resist criticizing Canada.
"You know who else paid the least? A country known as Canada. Because Canada said: "Why pay if the United States will protect us for free anyway?" the US leader added.
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