US Senator criticizes Canada’s military spending, stating that a potential Trump victory would prompt laughter at the country’s inadequate defense allocation. This comes as Canada aims to meet NATO’s 2% GDP spending target by 2032.
Background on NATO Spending Commitments
NATO countries have set a target for themselves to spend 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense within a decade. This commitment was agreed upon after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Last year, as it became clear that Russia’s war with Ukraine would grind on, NATO allies decided that 2% should be a spending minimum.
Canada’s Military Spending
According to NATO figures, Canada was estimated to be spending 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023, below the 2% target set by NATO countries. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that Canada will meet the alliance’s target by 2032.
Response from Former U.S. Ambassador and Retired Lt.-Gen.
Former U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft advised Canada to accelerate its timeline for meeting its NATO spending commitments in the event of a Trump victory. Retired Lt.-Gen. Andrew Leslie, a former lawmaker in Trudeau’s government, expressed concerns about the lack of urgency from the government to meet those commitments.
Related Topics:
-
Military Headlines
-
Canada
-
Donald Trump
-
North Atlantic Treaty Organization – NATO
