# U.S. Envoy Criticizes Czech Defense Spending

> U.S. NATO envoy calls Czech Republic’s defense spending 'disappointing' as it falls short of NATO targets.
- Title: U.S. Envoy Criticizes Czech Defense Spending · Seattletimes
- Summary: U.S. NATO envoy calls Czech Republic’s defense spending 'disappointing' as it falls short of NATO targets. U.S. ambassador Matthew Whitaker criticized Czech…
- Keywords: nato, czech republic, defense spending, hague defense commitment, matthew whitaker, andrej babiš, peter pavel, nato members, 2 percent gdp, news, local, Envoy
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/us-envoy-to-nato-criticizes-czech-republics-disappointing-spending-on-defense
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us, nato, czech republic, defense spending, hague defense commitment, matthew whitaker, andrej babiš, peter pavel, nato members, 2 percent gdp, news, local
## U.S. Envoy Criticizes Czech Republic
U.s. ambassador matthew whitaker criticized the czech republic for failing to meet nato’s hague defense commitment on friday.

> it is disappointing to see that it has not made more progress towards meeting the hague defense commitment
## Czech Spending Falls Short
Lawmakers approved a budget allocating less than 1.8 percent of gdp for defense this year despite president petr pavel urging an increase.
## Whitaker’s Warning
Whitaker warned the czech republic must meet the 2 percent gdp defense target to honor nato’s commitment, stressing no excuses or opt-outs.

> all allies must pull their weight and honor the hague defense commitment. these numbers are not arbitrary. they are about meeting the moment, and the moment requires 5 percent as the standard. no excuses, no opt-outs
## Babiš Promises 2% Target
Prime minister andrej babiš pledged defense spending would reach 2 percent of gdp next year to meet nato’s minimum requirement.
## NATO’s 2% Target
Nato members agreed in 2014 to spend at least 2 percent of gdp on defense, but the czech republic fell short this year.
## Czech Political Shift
Babiš’ coalition government, which includes anti-immigrant parties, plans to cut defense spending for next year despite u.s. pressure.
## Key takeaway

U.S. ambassador Matthew Whitaker criticized Czech Republic for not meeting NATO’s 2% defense spending target, urging increased investment to meet the alliance’s requirements.