NATO won't heed Donald Trump’s proposal for a massive hike in defence spending but will likely agree to go beyond its current target, according to officials and analysts.

Even before being sworn in, Donald Trump harshly criticized European NATO countries. He also changed his stance on ending the conflict in Ukraine, suggesting he could achieve it within half a year, not in 24 hours as he previously claimed.

European NATO members would struggle to increase defense spending to 5% considering the high social welfare bill in the continent. But analysts say Trump's demand could be a negotiating tactic to reach a compromise.

Donald Trump's increasingly strident approach to relations with Canada is provoking fear about the potential consequences north of the border and questions about just how serious the U.S. president-elect actually is.

The president-elect said he'd use "economic force" to bring Canada into the US while also saying the Northern neighbor had nothing the US needs.