NATO harks back to Cold War era

The intergovernmental transnational military alliance of 32 member states commit to spending hike sought by Trump, and to mutual defence

- REUTERS

NATO leaders Wednesday backed the big increase in defence spending that US President Donald Trump had demanded, and restated their commitment to defend each other from attack after a brief summit in the Netherlands.

While Trump got what he wanted at the annual meeting, tailor-made for him, his NATO allies will be relieved that he committed to the fundamental principle of collective defence after less clear-cut language Tuesday.

Trump told a press conference that "we had a great victory here", adding that he hoped that the additional funds would be spent on military hardware made in the US.

TRUMP THREATENS TO PUNISH SPAIN

However, he threatened to punish Spain after Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared it could meet its commitments to NATO while spending much less than the new target of 5% of GDP.