MOSCOW, July 1 (HS/RIA Novosti) - European NATO countries and Canada have placed orders with US defense contractors worth $300 billion, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said.
A total order book now of $300bn outstanding of European and Canadian sales from the US over the next couple of years, Rutte told the Financial Times ahead of the alliance's Ankara summit on July 7-8.
The NATO chief added that European and Canadian investments in the US defense industry already support almost 200,000 jobs in the United States.
The upcoming NATO summit is expected to focus on boosting defense production among alliance members. Following criticism and demands from US President Donald Trump, allies have significantly increased their defense spending, though a large portion of new orders goes to US arms manufacturers.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
