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.

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.

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