US urges Asian allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense

The United States said its allies in Asia should spend 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense, which is the level its European allies are discussing as a global standard.

NATO nations are currently discussing raising their defense spending, following repeated criticism from US President Donald Trump. He has argued that it is unfair that his European allies depend on the US for defense. Chief spokesperson of the US Defense Department Sean Parnell explained to the media on Friday the department's view on US allies in Asia.