The new US defence secretary, James Mattis warned NATO members that Washington will moderate its commitment to the alliance if they do not increase their spending on defence. He said in a closed-door session with NATO defense ministers in Brussels that the US taxpayer will no longer bear a disproportionate share of the defence burden.<br/><br/>Mattis said America will meet its responsibilities, but if the NATO nations do not want to see America moderate its commitment to this alliance, each nations needs to show support for the common defence.