NATO

In 2006 NATO countries agreed to contribute 2% of their GDP to fund NATO. In 2014 these same countries agreed to stop cutting their defense budgets so they could meet their NATO commitments. By 2018 only six countries were paying the 2%. When Russia invaded Ukraine this encouraged other countries to contribute more and by 2023 this was up to 11 countries. Today 23 of the 31 countries are paying 2%. Assistant Secretary of State John Kirby said recently that Biden is responsible for the increase. As Trump headed for the 2018 NATO summit The NATO report estimates that only five out of the 29 nations will meet the spending standards that were agreed upon at the 2014 NATO summit in Wales. In 2018 Trump was roundly criticized for berating NATO countries for being underfunded. Trump, who has threatened to reduce U.S. military support if allies do not increase spending, pushed for the 28 other NATO members to spend more money again on Tuesday. "NATO countries must pay MORE, the United States must pay LESS," The US pays 68% of the NATO budget.