Utah Valley Times

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observers Group, and a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging Canada to develop a plan to increase its defense spending. The senators emphasized the need for Canada to meet the two percent of GDP spending threshold agreed upon by all NATO Allies at the Vilnius Summit in 2023. Canada’s most recent projection indicated it will not meet this commitment within the current decade.

“The 2023 Vilnius Summit agreement reiterated and expanded upon prior agreements of the two percent defense spending baseline, which Canada’s Defense Minister and Canada’s Head of Government agreed to in 2006 and 2014, respectively. […] As we approach the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., we are concerned and profoundly disappointed that Canada’s most recent projection indicated that it will not reach its two percent commitment this decade,” the senators wrote.

“The United States’ commitment to NATO is unwavering. Later this year, when the United States hosts the 2024 NATO Summit to lay out priorities for the upcoming year, we will expect your government and every NATO member that has not met the two percent defense spending threshold to have a plan to reach this benchmark as soon as possible,” they continued.

Joining Romney, Shaheen, and Tillis on the letter are Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jim Risch (R-ID), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Cornyn (R-TX), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tim Scott (R-SC), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), and Ted Cruz (R-TX).

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

As friends of Canada, we write to urge your government to uphold the commitment agreed to by all North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies at the 2014 Wales Summit and again at the 2023 Vilnius Summit to strengthen our collective security by increasing defense spending levels to two percent of each country’s gross domestic product (GDP). As a founding member of NATO, Canada is a valued Ally and has long contributed to essential NATO operations around the world. However, the transatlantic Alliance now faces one of the most severe threat landscapes in its history. As a consequence, we call on all NATO Allies, including Canada, to uphold their commitment to ensure a stronger, sustainable NATO by accelerating efforts to reach the two percent defense spending target set by the Alliance.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the greatest Alliance in history. Since its inception, Canada has been a leading Ally in propelling NATO to develop standards around democracy, economic resilience and human rights. These standards have encouraged NATO aspirant countries to align more closely with our shared values and expanded trade opportunities for economies across North Atlantic while promoting peace and stability on European continent. In addition, Canada has taken a leading role in support of NATO military operations. We particularly appreciate Canada’s leadership of NATO’s multinational battlegroup in Latvia which maintains a strong deterrence presence on Eastern Flank of Alliance. As Vladimir Putin’s full-scale unprovoked war against Ukraine continues into its third year; strong NATO presence in Europe is needed deter further Russian aggression.

To build on success past 75 years secure transatlantic Alliance next generation requires continued investments from each member country includes meeting guidance all member countries should spend 20% defense spending equipment modernize capabilities well meet seek exceed spending two % GDP defense At 2023 Vilnius summit all allies agreed two % defense spending levels should be floor not ceiling contributions Alliance The Vilnius summit agreement reiterated expanded upon prior agreements two % baseline which Canada's Defense Minister Head Government agreed 2006 &2014 By end Of eighteen countries will meet goal ensure continued military readiness historic investment collective security led Poland exceeded three % GDP

As approach concerned profoundly disappointed Canada's recent projection indicated will not reach decade In twenty-nine estimated rise just one seven five years after deadline still below baseline North American Aerospace Defense Command also dire need modernization process can only move forward direct cooperation from government fail obligations detriment free world without immediate meaningful action increase

United States’ unwavering later hosts summit lay out priorities expect every member met threshold plan reach benchmark soon possible anticipate robust partnership between U.S., all achieve benchmarks identified enable defend democracy preserve security expand opportunity

We appreciate attention important matter look forward continued close partnership friends neighbors.

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