So what does the US contribute towards maintaining Nato compared with the other members?
What do Nato members spend?
Nearly 70% of the total spending on defence by Nato member governments is accounted for by the US.But the US is a global superpower, with military commitments around the world, and not just in Europe.
In terms of its gross domestic product (GDP) (the total value of goods produced and services) the US spent roughly 3.4% on defence in 2019, according to Nato estimates, while the average in European Nato countries and Canada was 1.55%.
Nato's running costs are met by a common funding arrangement based on each country's national income. This is to cover:
- civilian staff and administrative costs of Nato headquarters
- joint operations, strategic commands, radar and early warning systems, training and liaison
- defence communications systems, airfields, harbours and fuel supplies
The US was paying for just over 22% of this, while Germany's contribution was 14.76%, and France and the UK just under 10.5% each.
The rest was shared by the other members of the alliance.
But this will change after a new payment formula was agreed in 2019.
"For the period 2021-2024, cost shares attributed to most European allies and Canada will increase, while the United States' share will decrease,"according to the 2019 Nato annual report.
Under the new arrangements, the US contribution will gradually drop to 16%.
