TRUMP PROPOSES $54 BILLION INCREASE IN DEFENCE SPENDING

US President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre on February 24, 2017 in National Harbor, Maryland. PHOTO | ALEX WONG | AFP 

By AFP, WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump's first budget proposal includes a substantial $54 billion dollar increase in defence spending, with corresponding cuts in foreign assistance and other non-military spending.

Highlighting what Trump has described as a "public safety and national security budget," the plan raises national defence spending - already the highest in the world - by almost 10 per cent, an official said on condition of anonymity.

The proposal, which will be picked over by Congress, will have "a corresponding reduction in non-defence spending by 54 billion," the official said.

"Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result."