The usefulness of America’s allies was severely questioned during Donald Trump’s election campaign. Allies were presented as costing America a considerable amount and giving little in return. The title of an article in Foreign Affairs summed up this perception: “Ripped Off: What Donald Trump gets Right about U.S. Alliances.”
This election platform is now being translated into action. Secretary of Defense James Mattis declared that “the political reality in the United States . . . the fair demand from my country’s people in concrete terms” is that American allies must increase defense spending by year’s end towards a 2 percent GDP target. If they don’t, the United States will “moderate its commitment” to them. Mattis elaborated, “No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of western values. Americans cannot care more for your children’s security than you do.”
Mattis’s comments were directed to NATO but also address concerns about all of America’s allies. It must be noted, however, that NATO members agreed in 2014 to work towards a 2 percent GDP objective over the next decade. Such pronouncements have been made before—at least about NATO. What is different this time is the public perception of America being “ripped off” by all its allies, in addition to the election of a president determined to place “America First.” America’s allies are now believed to have made the country weaker and less secure. As President Trump declared at his inauguration, America has “subsidized the armies of other countries while allowing for the very sad depletion of our military.”
The 2 percent benchmark has the virtue of simplicity. While it is easy to judge countries against a simple quantitative measure, it also significantly misleading. American security may not necessarily be improved even if allies do as Mattis requests. The crucial issue relates to grand strategy, since America and its allies have different visions.
Read the full “The 2 Percent NATO Benchmark Is a Red Herring” article in The National Interest by Griffith Asia Institute Visiting Fellow Peter Layton.
