Trump Pushes NATO to Spend More Than Ever

At the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, 2025, member countries agreed to significantly raise their defense spending target from the long-standing 2% of GDP to 5% by 2035. This new target is split into 3.5% for core defense needs such as troops, weapons, and military hardware, and 1.5% for broader defense-related investments including cybersecurity, infrastructure adaptation, and energy security. The move, strongly pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump, marks the biggest increase in NATO defense commitments in over a decade, reflecting heightened concerns over security threats from Russia, terrorism, and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described the agreement as a "quantum leap" in collective defense capabilities, emphasizing that all members must contribute and submit yearly progress reports. Despite some reservations from countries like Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia about meeting the ambitious target, the alliance remains united in its commitment to collective security under Article 5, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul highlighted the summit’s clear message of solidarity and determination to protect freedom and democracy amid evolving global threats.

Source: The Guardian