NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte announced that most US allies at the alliance endorse President Donald Trump’s demand that they invest 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense needs.
Meeting Overview
Rutte made this statement after chairing a meeting of NATO defense ministers at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters. He expressed confidence in reaching this goal by the next NATO summit in three weeks, stating:
- “We are really close”
- “There’s broad support”
Current Defense Spending Landscape
European allies and Canada have been investing heavily in their armed forces since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, some countries have hesitated to meet U.S. demands for a 5% GDP investment in defense.
Proposed Increase
The proposed increase would involve:
- Spending an additional percentage point over current levels
- All countries investing exactly 5% of their GDP, regardless of their economy size or earnings
The United States spends more than any other ally in dollar terms but was estimated last year to have spent just % compared with % a decade ago when Russian-backed separatists first took control of Crimea from Ukraine.
Response from European Allies
Defense Minister Pete Hegseth reported European allies’ response to Trump’s call:
- “We hear you… We all need increased capabilities… Thank you Mr. President @realDonaldTrump for reviving this Alliance.”
Trump has repeatedly called for European nations to meet a target he set during his presidency, which requires them to spend 2% of GDP on military spending—also mandated under NATO agreements.
Comparison of Current Spending
The new target of 5% is higher than what many countries currently spend but lower than what some do now, such as:
- Britain: approximately % of GDP
- France: approximately % of GDP
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