The NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, stated that he aims to persuade Donald Trump to make it easier for European allies to purchase military equipment from the US. He emphasized on Thursday in an interview with dpa that Europe could buy more if not for the strict American export regulations.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Thursday that he is working to persuade US President-elect Donald Trump to ease access for European partners to US weapons systems. Rutte told dpa that European allies are already investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the US defence industry.

Britain’s top diplomat says Europe’s security “is on a knife-edge” and President-elect Donald Trump is right to say NATO member nations must increase military spending

Even before being sworn in, Donald Trump harshly criticized European NATO countries. He also changed his stance on ending the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting he could achieve it within half a year, not in 24 hours as he previously claimed.

Even before being sworn in, Donald Trump has harshly criticized European NATO countries. He has also altered his stance on ending the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting he could achieve it within half a year,

European NATO members would struggle to increase defense spending to 5% considering the high social welfare bill in the continent. But analysts say Trump's demand could be a negotiating tactic to reach a compromise.

US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday urged NATO members to increase their defense spending to 5% of GDP. Donald Trump continues to hammer home his claims that these countries pay too little to be protected by the US.