Treasurer seeks trade balance in latest US tariff talks
Jim Chalmers has made the case to his US counterpart to remove American-imposed tariffs, while rebuffing calls to increase defence spending in line with NATO allies.
The treasurer spoke with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday, the third time the pair have talked.
Dr Chalmers said he pushed for a deal to remove tariffs on Australian exports into the US imposed by President Donald Trump.
"This was a very positive discussion, a very productive discussion," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"I made our case once again when it comes to trade and tariffs and these escalating trade tensions around the world.
"The global economic environment is very uncertain, very unpredictable and very volatile."
Australian goods are slugged with a 10 per cent tariff to enter the US, while steel and aluminium products have a 50 per cent tariff.
As Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles represents Australia at the NATO summit in The Hague, it remains unclear whether he will secure a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump at the gathering of world leaders.
Mr Marles is attending in place of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who pulled the pin on a potential trip to The Hague after other Indo-Pacific leaders opted out.
Mr Albanese's planned first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier in June, was cancelled after an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Asked if he would meet the US president, Mr Marles said it wasn't yet confirmed.
"It's not specifically on the agenda and I wouldn't want to overstate any of that," he told reporters at the security summit on Wednesday.
"We are in large rooms with lots of people, and these meetings, gatherings like this, end up being pretty fluid in terms of the bilaterals that you end up organising."
NATO countries have agreed to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, as the US also puts pressure on allies to boost money spent in the area.
While the US has called on Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent, the federal government aims to increase it from two to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34.
Dr Chalmers stood by the government's spend despite the boost from allies.
"It's not unusual for our partners and friends around the world to express or have a preference for us to spend more on defence. We are actually already very substantially increasing our investment in defence," he said.
"Obviously we've seen the announcements out of Europe. We're obviously tracking those developments very closely ... but we are already dramatically increasing our investment in defence.
"That's warranted and that's why we're doing it."
Jim Chalmers has made the case to his US counterpart to remove American-imposed tariffs, while rebuffing calls to increase defence spending in line with NATO allies.
The treasurer spoke with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday, the third time the pair have talked.
Dr Chalmers said he pushed for a deal to remove tariffs on Australian exports into the US imposed by President Donald Trump.
"This was a very positive discussion, a very productive discussion," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"I made our case once again when it comes to trade and tariffs and these escalating trade tensions around the world.
"The global economic environment is very uncertain, very unpredictable and very volatile."
Australian goods are slugged with a 10 per cent tariff to enter the US, while steel and aluminium products have a 50 per cent tariff.
As Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles represents Australia at the NATO summit in The Hague, it remains unclear whether he will secure a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump at the gathering of world leaders.
Mr Marles is attending in place of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who pulled the pin on a potential trip to The Hague after other Indo-Pacific leaders opted out.
Mr Albanese's planned first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier in June, was cancelled after an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Asked if he would meet the US president, Mr Marles said it wasn't yet confirmed.
"It's not specifically on the agenda and I wouldn't want to overstate any of that," he told reporters at the security summit on Wednesday.
"We are in large rooms with lots of people, and these meetings, gatherings like this, end up being pretty fluid in terms of the bilaterals that you end up organising."
NATO countries have agreed to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, as the US also puts pressure on allies to boost money spent in the area.
While the US has called on Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent, the federal government aims to increase it from two to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34.
Dr Chalmers stood by the government's spend despite the boost from allies.
"It's not unusual for our partners and friends around the world to express or have a preference for us to spend more on defence. We are actually already very substantially increasing our investment in defence," he said.
"Obviously we've seen the announcements out of Europe. We're obviously tracking those developments very closely ... but we are already dramatically increasing our investment in defence.
"That's warranted and that's why we're doing it."
Jim Chalmers has made the case to his US counterpart to remove American-imposed tariffs, while rebuffing calls to increase defence spending in line with NATO allies.
The treasurer spoke with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday, the third time the pair have talked.
Dr Chalmers said he pushed for a deal to remove tariffs on Australian exports into the US imposed by President Donald Trump.
"This was a very positive discussion, a very productive discussion," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"I made our case once again when it comes to trade and tariffs and these escalating trade tensions around the world.
"The global economic environment is very uncertain, very unpredictable and very volatile."
Australian goods are slugged with a 10 per cent tariff to enter the US, while steel and aluminium products have a 50 per cent tariff.
As Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles represents Australia at the NATO summit in The Hague, it remains unclear whether he will secure a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump at the gathering of world leaders.
Mr Marles is attending in place of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who pulled the pin on a potential trip to The Hague after other Indo-Pacific leaders opted out.
Mr Albanese's planned first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier in June, was cancelled after an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Asked if he would meet the US president, Mr Marles said it wasn't yet confirmed.
"It's not specifically on the agenda and I wouldn't want to overstate any of that," he told reporters at the security summit on Wednesday.
"We are in large rooms with lots of people, and these meetings, gatherings like this, end up being pretty fluid in terms of the bilaterals that you end up organising."
NATO countries have agreed to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, as the US also puts pressure on allies to boost money spent in the area.
While the US has called on Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent, the federal government aims to increase it from two to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34.
Dr Chalmers stood by the government's spend despite the boost from allies.
"It's not unusual for our partners and friends around the world to express or have a preference for us to spend more on defence. We are actually already very substantially increasing our investment in defence," he said.
"Obviously we've seen the announcements out of Europe. We're obviously tracking those developments very closely ... but we are already dramatically increasing our investment in defence.
"That's warranted and that's why we're doing it."
Jim Chalmers has made the case to his US counterpart to remove American-imposed tariffs, while rebuffing calls to increase defence spending in line with NATO allies.
The treasurer spoke with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday, the third time the pair have talked.
Dr Chalmers said he pushed for a deal to remove tariffs on Australian exports into the US imposed by President Donald Trump.
"This was a very positive discussion, a very productive discussion," he told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday.
"I made our case once again when it comes to trade and tariffs and these escalating trade tensions around the world.
"The global economic environment is very uncertain, very unpredictable and very volatile."
Australian goods are slugged with a 10 per cent tariff to enter the US, while steel and aluminium products have a 50 per cent tariff.
As Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles represents Australia at the NATO summit in The Hague, it remains unclear whether he will secure a face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump at the gathering of world leaders.
Mr Marles is attending in place of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who pulled the pin on a potential trip to The Hague after other Indo-Pacific leaders opted out.
Mr Albanese's planned first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump, on the sidelines of the G7 summit earlier in June, was cancelled after an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
Asked if he would meet the US president, Mr Marles said it wasn't yet confirmed.
"It's not specifically on the agenda and I wouldn't want to overstate any of that," he told reporters at the security summit on Wednesday.
"We are in large rooms with lots of people, and these meetings, gatherings like this, end up being pretty fluid in terms of the bilaterals that you end up organising."
NATO countries have agreed to increase defence spending to five per cent of GDP, as the US also puts pressure on allies to boost money spent in the area.
While the US has called on Australia to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent, the federal government aims to increase it from two to 2.3 per cent by 2033/34.
Dr Chalmers stood by the government's spend despite the boost from allies.
"It's not unusual for our partners and friends around the world to express or have a preference for us to spend more on defence. We are actually already very substantially increasing our investment in defence," he said.
"Obviously we've seen the announcements out of Europe. We're obviously tracking those developments very closely ... but we are already dramatically increasing our investment in defence.
"That's warranted and that's why we're doing it."
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Australia's Iran fallout warning despite uneasy truce
Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran. Conflict between Iran and Israel will have consequences for Australia, even if a ceasefire holds, an expert warns. While the federal government has repeatedly called for diplomacy and peace, it differed from other US allies by supporting America's decision to join Israel's offensive and strike Iran. Concerns had been raised if the action was legal, making Australia's position on the strikes "worrying", regardless of whether a ceasefire held, analyst Jessie Moritz told AAP. "Given that the intelligence that Israel was operating under was not confirmed even by the US, that really raised the question of whether this was a legal war and whether this was breaking an international norm," the Australian National University Arab and Islamic studies lecturer said. "Breaking international norms is a huge problem because it allows our enemies to break that norm with us." The Labor government initially took a more neutral stance but backed the US bombings after the coalition came out in support first. Dr Moritz said the government's quick decision was concerning and drew comparisons to the events of 2003, where Australia joined the US war in Iraq under false claims it possessed weapons of mass destruction. Though she hoped a ceasefire would hold, Dr Moritz warned the conflict would have long-term ramifications. US international partners have begun to more closely examine whether American interests align with their own as President Donald Trump emerges as a foreign policy disruptor. The conflict could incentivise Arab states to pursue nuclear weapons and lead Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rebuild its nuclear program. Dr Moritz said Iran could become more repressive and conservative because it might lose some support, using the events as an excuse to violently repress opposition groups. Anyone within the regime who supported diplomatic engagement with the West would be sidelined too. This could impact Australian-Iranian communities, many of whom hoped the conflict could help de-stabilise the Iranian autocracy and pave the way for a new, democratic government. Persian Australian Community Association member Nader Ranjbar said the regime's continuation could lead to his "worst fear". "That somehow they get away from this mess and the first thing they do is start killing Iranian people," he told AAP. Mr Trump attacked both nations for breaching the ceasefire in the early stages, saying "they don't know what the f*** they are doing" on live television. The prime minister was unperturbed by the language. "President Trump made some pretty clear statements. I don't think it needs any further reflection," Mr Albanese said on Wednesday. "We want to see peace in the region, we want to see a ceasefire, we want to see de-escalation, and that is consistent with the very clear comments of President Trump." In the early hours of the day, 119 Australians and family members left Tel Aviv on a government-assisted flight. There are still about 3000 Australians in Iran who have registered with the government for help to leave, and more than 1000 in Israel. The latest conflict erupted on June 13, when Israel fired missiles at Iran in a bid to blow up military assets, arguing it was on the cusp of developing nuclear weapons. The battle took a turn on the weekend when the US launched a bombing raid on three underground nuclear facilities in Iran.
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an hour ago
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Pope urges all sides in Iran-Israel war to talk peace
Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to "reject the logic of bullying and revenge" and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace as he expressed solidarity with all Christians in the Middle East. Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pontiff said he was following "with attention and hope" recent developments in the war. He cited the biblical exhortation: "A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation." A ceasefire is holding in the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the US intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. "Let us listen to this voice that comes from on high," Leo said. "Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace." The Chicago-born Leo also expressed solidarity with the victims of Sunday's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to keep supporting Syrian reconciliation. Syria's interior ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, which killed at least 25 people. "To the Christians in the Middle East, I am near you. All the church is close to you," he said. "This tragic event is a reminder of the profound fragility that still marks Syria after years of conflict and instability, and therefore it is crucial that the international community doesn't look away from this country, but continues to offer it support through gestures of solidarity and with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation." Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to "reject the logic of bullying and revenge" and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace as he expressed solidarity with all Christians in the Middle East. Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pontiff said he was following "with attention and hope" recent developments in the war. He cited the biblical exhortation: "A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation." A ceasefire is holding in the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the US intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. "Let us listen to this voice that comes from on high," Leo said. "Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace." The Chicago-born Leo also expressed solidarity with the victims of Sunday's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to keep supporting Syrian reconciliation. Syria's interior ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, which killed at least 25 people. "To the Christians in the Middle East, I am near you. All the church is close to you," he said. "This tragic event is a reminder of the profound fragility that still marks Syria after years of conflict and instability, and therefore it is crucial that the international community doesn't look away from this country, but continues to offer it support through gestures of solidarity and with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation." Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to "reject the logic of bullying and revenge" and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace as he expressed solidarity with all Christians in the Middle East. Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pontiff said he was following "with attention and hope" recent developments in the war. He cited the biblical exhortation: "A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation." A ceasefire is holding in the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the US intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. "Let us listen to this voice that comes from on high," Leo said. "Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace." The Chicago-born Leo also expressed solidarity with the victims of Sunday's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to keep supporting Syrian reconciliation. Syria's interior ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, which killed at least 25 people. "To the Christians in the Middle East, I am near you. All the church is close to you," he said. "This tragic event is a reminder of the profound fragility that still marks Syria after years of conflict and instability, and therefore it is crucial that the international community doesn't look away from this country, but continues to offer it support through gestures of solidarity and with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation." Pope Leo XIV urged the warring sides in the Israel-Iran war to "reject the logic of bullying and revenge" and choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy to reach peace as he expressed solidarity with all Christians in the Middle East. Speaking at his weekly Wednesday general audience, the American pontiff said he was following "with attention and hope" recent developments in the war. He cited the biblical exhortation: "A nation shall not raise the sword against another nation." A ceasefire is holding in the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict, which involved Israel targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites and the US intervening by dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. "Let us listen to this voice that comes from on high," Leo said. "Heal the lacerations caused by the bloody actions of recent days, reject all logic of bullying and revenge, and resolutely take the path of dialogue, diplomacy and peace." The Chicago-born Leo also expressed solidarity with the victims of Sunday's attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, and urged the international community to keep supporting Syrian reconciliation. Syria's interior ministry has said a sleeper cell belonging to the Islamic State group was behind the attack at the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, which killed at least 25 people. "To the Christians in the Middle East, I am near you. All the church is close to you," he said. "This tragic event is a reminder of the profound fragility that still marks Syria after years of conflict and instability, and therefore it is crucial that the international community doesn't look away from this country, but continues to offer it support through gestures of solidarity and with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation."
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an hour ago
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Trump reassures NATO allies as defence spending to rise
NATO leaders are set to sign up to a big increase in defence spending at a short summit tailor-made for US President Donald Trump, who struck a reassuring tone on his commitment to protecting fellow members of the alliance. The summit is expected to endorse a higher defence spending goal of five per cent of GDP - a response to a demand by Trump and to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that it was not easy for European countries and Canada to find the extra money but said it was vital to do so. "There is absolute conviction with my colleagues at the table that, given this threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative," he told reporters. Speaking to media before the summit opened on Wednesday, Trump played down concerns over his commitment to mutual defence among allies as set out by Article 5 of NATO's charter, saying: "We're with them all the way." The debate has been fuelled by Trump's own comments on the way to the summit on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he had said there were "numerous definitions" of the clause. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country borders Russia and joined NATO two years ago, said the alliance was evolving. "I think we're witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO and a NATO which has more European responsibility," he told reporters. The new spending target - to be achieved over the next 10 years - is a jump worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the current goal of two per cent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. Countries would spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence - such as troops and weapons - and 1.5 per cent on broader defence-related measures such as cyber security, protecting pipelines and adapting roads and bridges to handle heavy military vehicles. All NATO members have backed a statement enshrining the target, although Spain declared it does not need to meet the goal and can meet its commitments by spending much less. Rutte disputes that but accepted a diplomatic fudge with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of his efforts to give Trump a diplomatic victory and make the summit go smoothly. Spain said on Wednesday that it did not expect its stance to have any repercussions. Rutte has kept the summit and its final statement short and focused on the spending pledge to try to avert any friction with Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to settle for attending the pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening rather than the main meeting on Wednesday, although he was set to meet Trump separately. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban diluted the display of unity when he told reporters that NATO had no business in Ukraine and that Russia was not strong enough to represent a real threat to NATO. The Kremlin has accused NATO of being on a path of rampant militarisation and portraying Russia as a "fiend of hell" in order to justify its big increase in defence spending. NATO leaders are set to sign up to a big increase in defence spending at a short summit tailor-made for US President Donald Trump, who struck a reassuring tone on his commitment to protecting fellow members of the alliance. The summit is expected to endorse a higher defence spending goal of five per cent of GDP - a response to a demand by Trump and to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that it was not easy for European countries and Canada to find the extra money but said it was vital to do so. "There is absolute conviction with my colleagues at the table that, given this threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative," he told reporters. Speaking to media before the summit opened on Wednesday, Trump played down concerns over his commitment to mutual defence among allies as set out by Article 5 of NATO's charter, saying: "We're with them all the way." The debate has been fuelled by Trump's own comments on the way to the summit on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he had said there were "numerous definitions" of the clause. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country borders Russia and joined NATO two years ago, said the alliance was evolving. "I think we're witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO and a NATO which has more European responsibility," he told reporters. The new spending target - to be achieved over the next 10 years - is a jump worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the current goal of two per cent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. Countries would spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence - such as troops and weapons - and 1.5 per cent on broader defence-related measures such as cyber security, protecting pipelines and adapting roads and bridges to handle heavy military vehicles. All NATO members have backed a statement enshrining the target, although Spain declared it does not need to meet the goal and can meet its commitments by spending much less. Rutte disputes that but accepted a diplomatic fudge with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of his efforts to give Trump a diplomatic victory and make the summit go smoothly. Spain said on Wednesday that it did not expect its stance to have any repercussions. Rutte has kept the summit and its final statement short and focused on the spending pledge to try to avert any friction with Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to settle for attending the pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening rather than the main meeting on Wednesday, although he was set to meet Trump separately. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban diluted the display of unity when he told reporters that NATO had no business in Ukraine and that Russia was not strong enough to represent a real threat to NATO. The Kremlin has accused NATO of being on a path of rampant militarisation and portraying Russia as a "fiend of hell" in order to justify its big increase in defence spending. NATO leaders are set to sign up to a big increase in defence spending at a short summit tailor-made for US President Donald Trump, who struck a reassuring tone on his commitment to protecting fellow members of the alliance. The summit is expected to endorse a higher defence spending goal of five per cent of GDP - a response to a demand by Trump and to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that it was not easy for European countries and Canada to find the extra money but said it was vital to do so. "There is absolute conviction with my colleagues at the table that, given this threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative," he told reporters. Speaking to media before the summit opened on Wednesday, Trump played down concerns over his commitment to mutual defence among allies as set out by Article 5 of NATO's charter, saying: "We're with them all the way." The debate has been fuelled by Trump's own comments on the way to the summit on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he had said there were "numerous definitions" of the clause. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country borders Russia and joined NATO two years ago, said the alliance was evolving. "I think we're witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO and a NATO which has more European responsibility," he told reporters. The new spending target - to be achieved over the next 10 years - is a jump worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the current goal of two per cent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. Countries would spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence - such as troops and weapons - and 1.5 per cent on broader defence-related measures such as cyber security, protecting pipelines and adapting roads and bridges to handle heavy military vehicles. All NATO members have backed a statement enshrining the target, although Spain declared it does not need to meet the goal and can meet its commitments by spending much less. Rutte disputes that but accepted a diplomatic fudge with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of his efforts to give Trump a diplomatic victory and make the summit go smoothly. Spain said on Wednesday that it did not expect its stance to have any repercussions. Rutte has kept the summit and its final statement short and focused on the spending pledge to try to avert any friction with Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to settle for attending the pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening rather than the main meeting on Wednesday, although he was set to meet Trump separately. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban diluted the display of unity when he told reporters that NATO had no business in Ukraine and that Russia was not strong enough to represent a real threat to NATO. The Kremlin has accused NATO of being on a path of rampant militarisation and portraying Russia as a "fiend of hell" in order to justify its big increase in defence spending. NATO leaders are set to sign up to a big increase in defence spending at a short summit tailor-made for US President Donald Trump, who struck a reassuring tone on his commitment to protecting fellow members of the alliance. The summit is expected to endorse a higher defence spending goal of five per cent of GDP - a response to a demand by Trump and to Europeans' fears that Russia poses a growing threat to their security following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte acknowledged that it was not easy for European countries and Canada to find the extra money but said it was vital to do so. "There is absolute conviction with my colleagues at the table that, given this threat from the Russians, given the international security situation, there is no alternative," he told reporters. Speaking to media before the summit opened on Wednesday, Trump played down concerns over his commitment to mutual defence among allies as set out by Article 5 of NATO's charter, saying: "We're with them all the way." The debate has been fuelled by Trump's own comments on the way to the summit on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he had said there were "numerous definitions" of the clause. Finnish President Alexander Stubb, whose country borders Russia and joined NATO two years ago, said the alliance was evolving. "I think we're witnessing the birth of a new NATO, which means a more balanced NATO and a NATO which has more European responsibility," he told reporters. The new spending target - to be achieved over the next 10 years - is a jump worth hundreds of billions of dollars a year from the current goal of two per cent of GDP, although it will be measured differently. Countries would spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on core defence - such as troops and weapons - and 1.5 per cent on broader defence-related measures such as cyber security, protecting pipelines and adapting roads and bridges to handle heavy military vehicles. All NATO members have backed a statement enshrining the target, although Spain declared it does not need to meet the goal and can meet its commitments by spending much less. Rutte disputes that but accepted a diplomatic fudge with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as part of his efforts to give Trump a diplomatic victory and make the summit go smoothly. Spain said on Wednesday that it did not expect its stance to have any repercussions. Rutte has kept the summit and its final statement short and focused on the spending pledge to try to avert any friction with Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to settle for attending the pre-summit dinner on Tuesday evening rather than the main meeting on Wednesday, although he was set to meet Trump separately. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban diluted the display of unity when he told reporters that NATO had no business in Ukraine and that Russia was not strong enough to represent a real threat to NATO. The Kremlin has accused NATO of being on a path of rampant militarisation and portraying Russia as a "fiend of hell" in order to justify its big increase in defence spending.
