Trump will tell NATO to increase defense spending, resist Chinese influence

The Washington Times ^ | Friday, November 29, 2019 | Tom Howell Jr.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

President Trump will urge European allies to spend more on defense and repel China’s “cheap money” during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s meeting in London next week.

Senior administration officials also expect Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to get an earful from NATO partners for purchasing an air-defense system from Russia — an antagonist of the alliance that has shown disregard for its neighbors’ sovereignty.

Mr. Trump, who departs Washington for the meeting Monday, tends to ruffle feathers at these types of summits.

He often complains that allies don’t spend enough of their own money on mutual defense, though senior administration officials say he dishes tough love because he wants to bolster their collective might.

“This is the most successful alliance in history,” a senior administration official said Friday in a preview of Mr. Trump’s trip.

Officials said Mr. Trump has been “spectacularly successful” in getting countries to spend at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense. Nine allies are now spending that share — compared to just four in 2016 — and administration officials expect to see at 18 countries hit the mark by 2024.

Notably missing from Mr. Trump’s three-day itinerary is a bilateral meeting with the summit’s host, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

[RomanSoldier19]

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