NATO Leaders Commit to 5% Defense Spending Amid Trump Pressure/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Despite Spain’s opt-out, NATO’s embrace of a 5% GDP defense benchmark and renewed pledge to Article 5 signify a decisive reshaping of the alliance. European members will now bear significantly more responsibility, while the U.S. leverages these gains to balance its global strategic priorities.
Quick Look
- NATO summit in The Hague concludes with leaders endorsing a steep increase in defense spending, committing to 5% of GDP by 2035.
- Allies reaffirm “ironclad commitment” to collective defense under Article 5, despite recent U.S. ambiguity.
- Spain formally opts out of the 5% pledge, reflecting broader EU fiscal constraints.
NATO Leaders Commit to 5% Defense Spending Amid Trump Pressure
Deep Look
NATO leaders meeting in The Hague reached a landmark agreement on Wednesday—endorsing a 5% defense spending pledge by 2035. The commitment, crafted under U.S. pressure and backed by President Trump, signals a major shift in alliance priorities
The leaders also underlined their “ironclad commitment” to NATO’s collective security guarantee – “that an attack on one is an attack on all.” Ahead of the summit, Trump had again raised doubts over whether the United States would defend its allies.
Milestone Defense Pledge
- ‘The new spending guide breaks down into 3.5% for core military needs (troops, weapons) and 1.5% for broader defense-related infrastructure, such as roads, cyber defenses and dual-use projects
- Progress will be evaluated in 2029, with full implementation by 2035
- Key defenders like Poland, the Baltic states, Britain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands pledge strong compliance
Unity Despite Tensions
- The summit communique also reaffirmed that “an attack on one is an attack on all”, emphasizing NATO’s “ironclad commitment” to collective defense
- This pledge follows skepticism by President Trump on Article 5, calling it dependent on its definition—raising concerns among allies. However, he later reinforced American commitment .
Spain’s Opt-Out
- Spain has formally declined to meet the 5% goal, citing fiscal and welfare priorities, while planning to raise defense spending to about 2.1% next year
- Other nations, like Belgium and Slovakia, expressed reservations, though Spain remains the only country to opt out officially .
European Rebalancing
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte hailed the summit as “transformational,” encouraging European allies to shoulder more of the burden amid concerns over U.S. commitment and Russia’s aggressive posture
- Finland’s President Alexander Stubb called it a “new NATO” and said the increase would restore Europe to Cold War-era defense readiness
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda joked that NATO’s new motto could be “Make NATO great again,” echoing Trump’s messaging .
Funding Challenges Ahead
- Smaller economies in Europe will face tough budget choices, potentially cutting social programs to fund defense.
- The plan anticipates a shift in U.S. focus toward the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, requiring European states and Canada to fill emerging security gaps.
- While Hungary downplayed the threat from Russia, most NATO capitals see rising defense investment as urgent .
Looking Forward
- A key review in 2029 will assess both spending commitments and Russia’s evolving threat.
- With U.S. troop deployments in Europe potentially shifting, NATO’s procedural focus will pivot to capability-building and rapid deployment readiness.
- European-led defense frameworks may evolve, preparing for scenarios where U.S. engagement is less direct—even as NATO formally retains American leadership
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