\n\u201cWhy is it they owe us for this year, but every time a new year comes up, they dont have to pay?\u201d \u2014 Donald Trump, U.S. president<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cTheyll be OK; I have confidence; just slightly delinquent,\u201d Trump said. \u201cSome are major delinquent. Some are, some way below 1 percent and thats unacceptable. And then, if something happens, were supposed to protect them, and its not really fair. And it never has been fair.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump then turned his fire on Germany, the wealthiest NATO ally after the United States, though Berlins annual military spending, according to NATO figures, is projected to be 1.38 percent of GDP and it has been comfortably above 1 percent since at least 2014. Germany has pledged to meet the 2-percent goal (which is a voluntary, not mandatory target) by 2031.<\/p>\n Responding to a question, Trump declined to commit to defending allies that dont meet the NATO spending target, though in his overall remarks he seemed to accept that obligation.<\/p>\n In his reply, he repeated a claim he has made previously that allies who have not met the 2-percent target collectively \u201cowe\u201d trillions to the U.S. and other allies who have met the goal.<\/p>\n German Chancellor Angela Merkel in London for the NATO summit | Leon Neal\/Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cFor instance, if you have a country thats paying only 1 percent, and you have some that are paying less than 1 percent, and they shouldnt be \u2014 you have some that are paying less than 1 percent \u2014 and theyre wealthy countries, on top of everything,\u201d Trump said. \u201cNow we go to a new year, and they dont pay. And now we go to yet another year, and they dont pay. Well, now, I ask you: Do they have to pay for the back years, OK?\u201d<\/p>\n He continued: \u201cWhy is it they owe us for this year, but every time a new year comes up, they dont have to pay? Its wrong. Its not right. I could say that you go back 25 years.\u201d<\/p>\n Turning to Trudeau, he said: \u201cI wont do that with Canada, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump then went on to describe the 2-percent target as \u201cvery low,\u201d saying that it \u201cshould be 4 percent,\u201d before refocusing on Germany.<\/p>\nThey owe us money<\/h3>\n
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