Trudeau tells NATO he can't hit defense target, leaked Pentagon documents reveal

Pictured: Mr Trudeau speaking in the House of Commons in Ottawa. Photo: Reuters

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau admitted to NATO that according to leaked Pentagon documents, it is unlikely to achieve the alliance's defense spending target of 2% of GDP.

This estimate, which is part of an array of files leaked to the messaging app Discord warns Canada's «widespread» army's shortcomings are hurting relations with its allies, according to the Washington Post.

Canada has warned that the shortfall in defense spending means the country cannot launch a major operation and maintain its battle group leadership in Latvia and provide assistance to Ukraine. at the same time.

Late last month, Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, called on the members of the 30-member alliance to meet the 2 percent target, which he says is the minimum.

The leaked document, which appears to have come from the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, reflects reports of Washington's continued concerns about the level of defense spending.

The Trump administration reportedly sent a note to Canada in 2019 demanding fulfill her requirements. Targets for NATO spending.

But the latest assessment shows that it has had little effect on other NATO countries, including Germany, which has expressed dissatisfaction

Turkey has also reportedly said it was «disappointed» with the level of aid provided by Canada after the catastrophic earthquake in February. Haiti also expressed dissatisfaction with the support it received from Canada.

According to the document, NATO members are concerned that Canada has not sent additional personnel to Latvia, despite promising to do so.

There is also dissatisfaction that Canada has not delivered on promises to increase its Arctic capabilities. However, Canada defended its record.

“Canada is a founding member of NATO and has the sixth-largest defense budget among members of the North Atlantic Alliance,” Defense Department spokesman Daniel Minden told The Telegraph.

“Our commitment to Euro-Atlantic and global security is ironclad, and we continue to invest heavily funds to equip our armed forces.

“We are acquiring a new fleet of 88 F-35s, the largest investment in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 30 years. years at a cost of $19 billion.

“We are investing $38.6 billion to upgrade our NORAD capabilities and are working hard to bring the Canadian-led NATO battle group in Latvia to brigade level. Canada has also provided more than $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, totaling over $8 billion.

«Canada will continue to build its military capabilities to meet the challenges of today's world.

«Overall, Canada's defense policy increases our defense spending by more than 70 percent between 2017 and 2026 We also announced an additional $8 billion in defense spending in the 2022 budget"