NATO Defence Ministers Take Stock of Pandemic's Economic Toll on National Budgets
NATO defence ministers took stock Wednesday of the economic damage raining down on allied countries because of the pandemic crisis — and considered the disease's ability to blow vast holes in national defence budgets, CBC reports.
The military alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, acknowledged the obvious in a teleconference with journalists following a virtual meeting of defence ministers from 30 member nations.
"Of course there will be economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis," he said.
"We've seen a significant reduction in GDP. We have seen forecasts about further reductions and, of course, there will be budget consequences."
Stoltenberg was quick to add that he thinks "it's a bit too early to say how big those consequences will be because ... it will depend upon how long the crisis will last."
A defence analyst said the NATO chief was giving himself room to manoeuvre — partly in reponse to the tempestuous relationship U.S. President Donald Trump has with allies he has badgered into spending more on defence.
"He's trying to be as a cagey as he can," said Robert Baines, president and chief executive officer of the NATO Association of Canada, an independent, non-profit organization that provides analysis on the alliance and global security.
"I find it interesting the language has shifted in that direction."
Prior to a meeting of NATO foreign ministers last month, Stoltenberg suggested the pandemic crisis shouldn't affect the ability of nations to meet their defence spending targets.
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