Trump Urges Allies to Spend 5 Percent of GDP on Military

JAKARTA - The new defense strategy of the United States encourages all of Washington's allies and partners to increase military spending by up to five percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and take greater responsibility for their respective national security.

The Pentagon document confirms US President Donald Trump's agenda on "America First" and "peace through strength", while saying allies must play a bigger role, no longer as "the last generation's dependence", because the US needs to prioritize the defense of its territory and interests in the Western Hemisphere.

"We will encourage allies and partners to meet this standard around the world, not just in Europe," the first National Defense Strategy since Trump returned to office a year ago said, referring to the five percent target reported by ANTARA from Kyodo, Saturday, January 24.

The document states that if allies meet this target together with the US, they will be able to build up the strength to prevent or defeat potential opponents in every major region of the world, even facing aggression simultaneously.

NATO members have committed to meeting Trump's demands to raise defense spending from two percent to five percent of GDP by 2035. NATO's new target consists of 3.5 percent for core military spending and an additional 1.5 percent for security-related spending.

While praising Europe and South Korea for committing to raising defense budgets since Trump returned to power, the document hinted that other major allies, including Japan, would face greater pressure from Washington.

In line with the National Security Strategy released by the White House in December, the defense document refers to China and its rapid military development, albeit in a softer tone than the previous version.

The Trump administration's approach is said to be to deter China in the Indo-Pacific through strength, "not confrontation".

The 34-page document made no mention of Taiwan, a self-ruled island claimed by China, amid Beijing's increasing military pressure in the region.

"President Trump wants a stable peace, fair trade, and a relationship of mutual respect with China," the document reads, adding that Washington's goal is not to dominate Beijing.

"Our goal is simple: prevent anyone, including China, from dominating us or our allies," he continued.

As part of the effort, the US military will build a "robust denial defense" along the first island chain, from Japan through Taiwan and the Philippines to Borneo, which surrounds China's coastal waters.

Unlike the White House's latest security strategy, this defense document mentions North Korea, which is said to pose a direct military threat to Japan and South Korea.

However, the document also states that South Korea is capable of shouldering the main responsibility for deterring North Korea with more limited US support, given its increased military capabilities and conscription.