WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump’s first budget proposals include a generous $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 was quoted by agencies as saying 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.”