US issues warning to NATO allies on defense spending

By Hasan Esen and Ata Ufuk Seker

BRUSSELS (AA) - The U.S. could “moderate” its commitment to NATO if other members did not meet spending commitments, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said Wednesday.

Addressing fellow NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Mattis linked the U.S.’s relationship to NATO, of which it has been the leading figure since 1949, to members’ commitment to spend at least 2 percent of their national budgets on defense.

“No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of western values,” he said.

“Americans cannot care more for your children’s security than you do. Disregard for military readiness demonstrates a lack of respect for ourselves, for the alliance and for the freedoms we inherited, which are now clearly threatened.”

In his first speech to NATO allies since entering office, he added: “America will meet its responsibilities but if your nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each of your capitals needs to show support for our common defense.”

President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about the relevance of the alliance, labeling it “obsolete” last month.

Following the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the “clear message” from Mattis but warned the alliance faced its gravest threat since the Cold War.

“Neither Europe nor North America can effectively deal with this on their own,” he said. “Our alliance is as much needed as ever. We are all safer when we stand together.”

Turning to defense spending, he added: “In 2014, we decided to stop the cuts in defense spending, gradually increase and move towards spending 2 percent of GDP on defense within a decade. Our progress so far has been good.”

Last year, 22 of 28 NATO members increased defense spending, he said. “Step by step, we are moving in the right direction. But there is still a very long way to go.”

Turkey joined NATO in 1952.

* Burcu Arik contributed to this article from Istanbul.