Here's the FT article.
Trump wants 5% Nato defence spending target, Europe told
US president-elect’s closest foreign policy aides indicate he will continue arming Ukraine while pursuing end to war
www.ft.com
[Politics] Russia invades Ukraine (24/02/2022)
- Thread starter vegster
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Here's the FT article.
www.ft.com
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,442
I would have said God knows, but even that is doubtful.
Sirnormangall
Well-known member
- Sep 21, 2017
- 3,234
Are you suggesting their central bank isn’t independent of the Kremlin?! Keeping interest rates at 21% isn’t something to be proud of, though I’m tempted to enquire whether I can buy their equivalent of a fixed rate ISA.
But the USA is a 'NATO country' - so surely they'd all be bound by the same agreement?
- Oct 17, 2008
- 15,019
This is Trump we’re talking about, a “businessman who does business”. He’ll see it as bargaining for America’s ongoing involvement.
Massively increasing defence spending overnight will be basically impossible for most countries, this sounds an awful lot like Trump moving the goalposts time to get out of his NATO commitments
- Oct 17, 2008
- 15,019
- Oct 17, 2008
- 15,019
“Planned economy” lives long in Russia.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,442
Today we are a month away from Trump assuming office, with the peace talks hopefully taking place soon afterwards. But the war would seem to be intensifying.
After Russia's deadly attacks on Kyiv last night, Russia claims six were killed by a Ukrainian strike in Kursk.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmnxznlmpko
After Russia's deadly attacks on Kyiv last night, Russia claims six were killed by a Ukrainian strike in Kursk.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmnxznlmpko
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,442
driddles
Well-known member
As a Canadian who has heard this type of challenge directed at Canada by trump before several times let me tell you that's not it. He's tired of people depending on the expensive US military to defend them and then not doing their part to build their own military. This is one thing he has stayed consistent on during his entire time in and out of office.
I think Trump's right that Europe should build it's own military to a higher level.
IIRC the previous agreed level was 3% (and I know a number of European countries hadn't reached that). Personally, I think Trump is setting the 5% target as a hard stretch, knowing that most countries won't make it, or rather will choose not to (US included?) - but if it makes countries at least get above 3% then that's a win.
Yes I know, but demanding countries more than double their defence spending to stay under US protection is not possible for any nation which has anything vaguely resembling a welfare state. This feels like an ideological attack from Putin’s new White House pet.
fly high
Well-known member
I just want to blast his smug face with a shotgun. He will never stop unless he's forced to.
I'm not sure countries will be ok with spending 5%, and it's not up to the US to decide what the other 30+ countries do. Although increased spending for a few year may be a good thing.
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,442
Does anyone know what it might cost us to get to 5% GDP as contributions in to Nato?
What it might mean in terms of income tax?
I for one, would be prepared for all working people to pay extra income tax to pay for it.
What it might mean in terms of income tax?
I for one, would be prepared for all working people to pay extra income tax to pay for it.
I don't think Putin would want his pet to try and increase NATO spending.
If Trump just wants to leave NATO, then he'll just say so. He can't justify it by suddenly saying 'I want you all to double your spending by Monday and if you don't we're leaving'. Obviously he doesn't need to justify it at all, in which case just leave, rather than fanny about with silly demands.
If he asks for countries to move towards 5%, they can agree to that over a period of time, knowing that Trump will be gone in 4 years anyway, and in 4 years the risk from Russia could well have evaporated (certainly if we back Ukraine as we should).
- Aug 24, 2020
- 7,442
Did you know that Putin is a good man, a kind man? That he can't be truly happy until all his soldiers return from the front to their mothers and wives?
If you can stomach it, watch this tearful praise of Putin's conference. It is full of messages the Kremlin wants the Russian people to hear.
If you can stomach it, watch this tearful praise of Putin's conference. It is full of messages the Kremlin wants the Russian people to hear.