NATO Allies Endorse Trump’s Military Funding Goal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump’s call for NATO allies to spend 5% of GDP on defense is gaining broad backing, according to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Most allies are already investing more heavily since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new target could be officially endorsed at the upcoming NATO summit.
Quick Looks
- NATO members show strong support for Trump’s 5% defense spending goal.
- The current benchmark of 2% is being exceeded by 22 of 32 allies.
- Trump’s 5% plan includes 3.5% military funding, 1.5% infrastructure upgrades.
- NATO summit in The Hague scheduled for June 24–25.
- The U.S. remains the largest spender in dollar terms but has seen a percentage drop.
- Trump emphasizes shifting U.S. military focus to the Indo-Pacific and domestic borders.
- Allies fear U.S. may withdraw defense guarantees for under-spending nations.
- “Capability targets” approved for weapons, drones, artillery, and logistics.
- NATO aims to mobilize 300,000 troops within 30 days on eastern flank.
- New planning zones include northern Europe, the Alps, and southern Europe.
Deep Look
NATO allies are rallying behind President Donald Trump’s bold proposal for member countries to allocate 5% of their GDP toward defense expenditures, a sharp increase from the previous 2% benchmark that has guided alliance budgets for nearly a decade. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte confirmed growing support for the initiative after a key ministerial meeting in Brussels, calling it a “broad consensus” and projecting full alignment by the next NATO summit in The Hague on June 24–25.
Trump’s Defense Doctrine Gains Momentum
Trump’s 5% spending vision splits into 3.5% for core military capabilities and 1.5% for civilian infrastructure such as roads, ports, and airfields to facilitate faster troop movement—a modern twist to reflect today’s geopolitical realities. These demands come amid growing threats from Russia and increasing U.S. interest in rebalancing its global military commitments toward Indo-Pacific priorities and domestic security.
By pushing for increased defense autonomy among allies, Trump aims to recalibrate the transatlantic burden-sharing dynamic. His administration has consistently warned that U.S. support for NATO could become conditional on members meeting financial obligations, a tactic that has spurred accelerated military investments across Europe.
Meeting the Numbers: From 2% to 5%
Though the alliance only agreed to the 2% defense spending benchmark in 2023, 22 out of 32 member states have already met or exceeded it. Trump’s 5% goal would mark a substantial shift in defense policy, essentially demanding a 150% increase over the current requirement. Despite skepticism from some quarters, Rutte expressed “total confidence” that the alliance will reach the target soon.
Interestingly, U.S. defense spending—though unmatched in absolute terms—is among the few to decline percentage-wise, dropping from 3.68% in 2014 to 3.19% in 2024, according to NATO data. This shift is cited by Trump officials to justify holding allies accountable, arguing that the U.S. should not bear a disproportionate share of NATO’s defense.
U.S. Troop Presence Under Review
As part of this realignment, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signaled the Trump administration is reassessing U.S. force posture in Europe, where around 84,000 American troops are currently stationed. Hegseth emphasized the need for America to “continually assess” its global commitments, hinting that European allies may need to plug any gaps left by potential drawdowns.
“America can’t be everywhere all the time, nor should we be,” Hegseth stated, reaffirming that any adjustments would be coordinated with NATO partners.
Capability Targets: A New Military Blueprint
In alignment with Trump’s demands, NATO defense ministers approved classified national targets for purchasing key military equipment. These so-called “capability targets” are based on the alliance’s 2023 strategic overhaul, its most significant planning revision since the Cold War. The goal is to strengthen Europe’s readiness for conflict with major adversaries like Russia.
Each NATO member has been assigned acquisition benchmarks for vital assets such as:
- Air defense systems
- Long-range missiles
- Artillery and ammunition
- Drones and surveillance tech
- Air-to-air refueling and heavy logistics
These assets are crucial to achieving NATO’s 300,000-troop rapid deployment plan, which would enable quick reinforcement of its eastern front within 30 days—a formidable undertaking that analysts believe will be difficult to execute without full commitment from all allies.
Why It Matters
The push for 5% GDP defense spending isn’t just about hardware—it reflects a fundamental evolution in transatlantic strategy, burden-sharing, and U.S. global posture. With Trump at the helm, NATO is pivoting from symbolic solidarity to quantifiable contributions, marking a dramatic departure from the status quo.
Critics argue that such a steep hike could strain national budgets, diverting resources from domestic needs. Proponents claim it’s a necessary investment to counter a resurgent Russia, growing Chinese influence, and emerging cyber and space threats.
The coming NATO summit will test whether these ambitions translate into binding commitments or remain aspirational. Either way, Trump has managed to reset the tone of the alliance—and for now, most allies seem willing to play along.
NATO Allies Endorse NATO Allies Endorse
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