NATO Defence Ministers Take Stock of Pandemic's Economic Toll on National Budgets

• 04.16.2020, 15:25
•  World

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.