It is a fucking guideline, that's not "whatever word I want to use", it's a goal for most countries to try and reach by the year 2024 (that's 7 years from now). It's funny listening to Trump complain about others not paying their fair share, take a guess at where that money comes from (hint: taxpayers).
Someone, take the dumbass' mirror away, he keeps talking to it like Corky from Life Goes On.
Guideline, rule, call it whatever you like; it needs to be happening either way. The way you word it is exactly why Trump is talking about it: "it's a
goal for
most countries to
try to reach." The thing is, you don't understand the underlying problem at all. The problem is that while the US spends near 4% of GDP on defense, some countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, etc) are actually
decreasing their military spending. Canada isn't even at 1%. Germany is barely above 1%, and they have absolutely no reason not to be at 2% other than they just don't want to. I know you may not be too prolific with your numbers, but to me, that doesn't seem like they are working towards 2%. The reason for that is because they are riding on our coattails. The way they see it, the US is going to step in and solve their problem anyway if there is a conflict, so why bother? If some shit starts in Germany right now, do you think that NATO is going to look for France to be the tip of the spear? No, I didn't think so.
Bottom line, we should only help those that want to help themselves. If you're an ally and are doing what you're supposed to do, then cool, we got you. But if you're not putting forth an effort and are content with just letting the US clean up your mess? Sorry.