Trudeau vows to reach NATO target by 2032, but calls it a ‘crass’ calculation

Facing pressure from allies, Canada has revealed a timeline for when it expects to hit the NATO defence spending target.

But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave no specifics on how Ottawa will reach a benchmark he described as a “crass mathematical calculation.”

“We can say with confidence and assurance that we will hit the two per cent spending mark by 2032,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday, the last day of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C.

Trudeau offered little explanation as to how the federal government plans to pay for the increased NATO contribution.

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NATO members agreed in 2014 to spend at least two per cent of their national gross domestic product on defence but Canada has long fallen short.

“We continually step up and punch above our weight, something that isn’t always reflected in the crass mathematical calculation that certain people turn to very quickly, which is why we’ve always questioned the two per cent as the ‘be all and end all,’” said Trudeau.

Concerns about Canada not paying its share have dogged the prime minister during the summit of the alliance, which is marking its 75th anniversary.

Roger Wicker, the highest-ranking Republican on the U.S. Senate’s armed services committee said he spoke to Trudeau on Tuesday and that he assured him an announcement would be made on reaching two per cent.

“We congratulate him on that effort. NATO allies shouldn’t outsource security to others,” said Wicker on the Senate floor.

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A day before providing the timeline for reaching the NATO target, Canada said it is moving ahead with the purchase of up to 12 new submarines to replace its aging fleet.

Canada also signed a trilateral agreement with the U.S.  and Finland known as the “ICE Pact” to boost the production of icebreakers in an effort to protect the Arctic and Antarctic regions and deter Russia and China in the Far North.

“We are buying big things. We are building big things, and we are protecting the longest coastline in the world, including with increased responsibilities for the Arctic,” said Trudeau.

Trudeau started his week in Washington trying to deflect criticism during a speech to the Canadian Embassy. The prime minister said the Liberal government has boosted defence spending since coming to power.

Canada’s defence budget has grown by more than 57 per cent since 2014, and it is estimated at $29.9 billion for this year.

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In pure dollar value, Canada ranks seventh among NATO allies, according to the alliance. But in share of GDP spent on defence, Canada is fifth to last.

Twenty-three of the 32 allies are expected to meet the two per cent target this year, but Canada was the only lagging member that had not presented a roadmap to reach that number until Thursday.

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U.S. President Joe Biden will close out the three-day summit with a rare solo news conference, as he faces growing concerns about whether he is fit to run for president. Biden’s health and the prospect of a second Donald Trump presidency have cast a shadow over the summit.

Trudeau was asked whether Biden can still lead on the global stage.

“We are lucky on the world stage to have Joe Biden leading here at NATO,” said the prime minister. “In some extraordinarily consequential times, his depth of experience, his thoughtfulness, his steadfastness on the greatest issues and challenges of our time, is a credit to, the work that we’re all doing together.”

Canada will likely face even more pressure to increase spending if Trump wins the next election.

Last February, Trump said he would “encourage” Russia to “do whatever the hell they want” to NATO allies who don’t pay their share on defence.

–with files from the Canadian Press, Mercedes Stephenson, Sean Boynton