Secretary of State Rex Tillerson wants to cut U.S. spending as a way to pressure NATO allies to increase their defense spending obligations, as detailed in the new State Department budget request.
“The U.S. will restore leadership and influence by upholding U.S. commitments to key partners and allies that advances shared interests, including NATO,” Tillerson wrote in a letter explaining his team’s budget request.
“The FY 2018 request includes reductions in anticipation that allied nations will provide a more equitable cost-share. It will eliminate or reduce payments to ineffective or inefficient organizations and only fund a portion of the U.S. share of assessed expenses for those UN peacekeeping operations that have proven their overall effectiveness in advancing our national interests.”
Trump’s team has made NATO spending a centerpiece of his foreign policy, as the president complained throughout the campaign that U.S. allies have been taking advantage of American largesse. NATO members agreed in 2014 to increase their defense spending to 2 percent of GDP.
“By increasing international security cooperation, promoting good governance, anti-corruption, and fiscal management, the State Department and USAID’s ‘America First’ agenda will also create a more stable environment for more opportunities for U.S. exports and business investment,” Tillerson wrote.
