Trump to Pressure NATO Allies to Pledge 5% Defense Spending/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump is set to claim victory at the NATO summit as Europe prepares to pledge 5% of GDP to defense. The summit, reduced to one day, is tightly choreographed to highlight Trump’s influence. However, disagreements over timelines may test the alliance’s unity.
NATO Spending Pledge Quick Look
- Main Goal: Trump demands NATO allies commit to spending 5% of GDP on defense.
- Summit Format: Shortened to 24 hours, centered on defense pledge.
- Trump’s Role: Trump seen as catalyst; will deliver closing speech.
- Timeline Debate: Smaller nations want until 2035; U.S. prefers 2030.
- Streamlined Agenda: No Ukraine council or extended communique.
- Iran Tensions: Summit sidesteps Trump’s rhetoric on possible U.S. strikes.
- European Shift: New roadmap for Europe to bear more defense responsibility.
- Impact: Potential long-term European military autonomy within NATO.
Trump to Pressure NATO Allies to Pledge 5% Defense Spending
Deep Look
President Donald Trump is heading into next week’s NATO summit with a single mission — to secure a public commitment from NATO members to dramatically increase defense spending. European leaders, aware of his expectations and eager to present a united front amid global instability, are ready to deliver that pledge.
The proposed commitment: 5% of GDP on defense, divided into 3.5% for direct military spending and 1.5% for broader defense-related activities. This landmark figure represents a significant shift in NATO’s posture and serves as a cornerstone for Trump’s narrative that he compelled Europe to take more responsibility for its own security.
Trump plans to cap the summit with a speech underscoring this win. But despite the optics of unity, friction remains. Spain and other nations are requesting exemptions or longer timelines, while Trump is pushing for rapid implementation by decade’s end.
The summit has been stripped down to a one-day event — a strategic move to maintain control and avoid disruptions. Only two main events are scheduled: a royal dinner and a single North Atlantic Council meeting. This format echoes Trump’s aversion to long multilateral summits, evidenced by his abrupt exit from the recent G7 meeting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited only to the summit’s opening dinner. There will be no Ukraine council session, avoiding focus on a war Trump has yet to resolve despite campaign promises.
The tension over timelines is real. While Eastern European countries and the U.S. advocate a 2030 deadline, smaller NATO nations seek flexibility, proposing 2032 or even 2035. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte floated a compromise, but the final text may still reflect extended timelines to gain consensus.
Europe’s larger goal is also strategic — to bolster its own defense infrastructure. In a recent address, Rutte outlined the alliance’s needs: quadrupling air and missile defense systems, adding thousands of tanks and vehicles, and doubling logistics and medical capabilities. This new roadmap reflects a long-term shift toward European military independence within NATO.
Trump’s demand for equitable defense funding has become a transatlantic standard. The Pentagon now touts the 5% figure as a “global benchmark,” even pressuring non-NATO partners like Japan to follow suit.
However, achieving this will be difficult. Spain, Belgium, and Italy are far from current targets. Even the U.K., a leading European military power, has committed only to 2.5% by 2027, and 3% by 2034.
Despite challenges, this summit marks a turning point. Trump gets his headline-grabbing win. NATO reaffirms its relevance. And Europe begins to lay the foundation for a defense framework less reliant on U.S. leadership.
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