Trump Urges NATO Members to Increase Defense Spending to 5% of GDP

Washington – Donald Trump has called on NATO member countries to significantly increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), reiterating his stance that European nations are not contributing enough to the alliance’s security.

“They can all afford it, but they should be at five percent, not two percent,” Trump said during a press briefing on Tuesday. “We’re putting billions more into this than Europe, and there’s an ocean between us. Why are we paying more?”

NATO's Current Spending Standards

NATO’s current defense spending guideline, set at 2% of GDP, was established to ensure adequate military preparedness among its 32 member nations. However, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine has prompted calls from leaders, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, to significantly increase defense budgets.

“We are going to need a lot more than two percent,” Rutte said in December, urging European nations to “turbocharge” their military spending to counter potential threats from Russia.

Trump’s Criticism of NATO

Trump has long criticized NATO for what he perceives as unfair financial contributions, threatening in the past to withdraw the US from the alliance if members fail to meet spending commitments.

He also suggested that NATO's discussions about Ukraine’s membership contributed to the escalation of tensions with Russia. “Biden said Ukraine should join NATO, and I understand how Russia feels about that,” Trump remarked.

Notably, Ukraine's NATO membership has been a contentious issue since 2008, when the alliance first extended the possibility under President George W. Bush. However, recent US and German leaders have been cautious about moving forward, fearing it could escalate the war.

Future of US Support for NATO and Ukraine

Trump has pledged to negotiate a swift end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, raising questions about the continuation of US military aid to Kyiv. The US has been a key supporter of Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid since the war began.

“The war should have never started,” Trump said, adding, “If I were president, it would have never happened.”

A Push for Greater Burden-Sharing

As NATO strengthens its eastern flank and addresses new challenges, Trump’s demand for increased spending underscores his focus on fair burden-sharing among allies. However, it remains to be seen how European nations will respond to his call for a dramatic increase to 5% of GDP.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising global tensions highlight the importance of NATO’s role, but debates about financial contributions are likely to continue shaping its future.