The EU wants independence on defence but it is buying thousands of weapons from the US each year

Talks in the Netherlands will focus on a pledge to increase defence spending to 5pc of GDP

The EU wants independence on defence but it is buying thousands of weapons from the US each year

The bloc agrees to boost spending to 5% of GDP, but Spain, Belgium and Slovakia say they will struggle to meet target.

President Trump has long pushed the European allies to be more self-sufficient on defense, relying less on American protection. NATO committed to a major increase over the next…