(CNN) Despite many European countries boosting their defense budgets, only seven of the 29 NATO allies are currently reaching the recommended spending target of 2% of gross domestic product, according to NATO's annual report, which was published Thursday.

President Donald Trump has long criticized NATO countries over their failure to meet the 2% target and the new data came as US and NATO officials sought to downplay reports that the Trump administration is seeking to ask allies to pay dramatically more for hosting US troops.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sought to highlight the spending increases while acknowledging more work needs to be done.

"Last year, European Allies and Canada increased their defense spending by almost 4% in real terms. Since 2016, they have actually spent an extra $41 billion on defense, and we expect that figure to rise to $100 billion by the end of next year," Stoltenberg said Thursday.

"We have seen significant increase, but I call for and I expect more, because that is what all Allies have agreed, and it's in the security interests of all Allies to do so," he added.

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