The Great Stance-Off: The NATO Summit Unleashed
- by Roger Stonebreaker
- 4 Mins
NATO Meeting in The Hague: Striking a Balance Between Awkward and Significant - European Union Faces Crucial Decision Regarding Union's Future
Ever wondered what the NATO means? I got you! It's like a posh club, where everyone's always pulling all-nighters, but the benefits aren't always clear as day. This ain't just about defense, bunkers, or military waltzes; it's the same story with these joint summit meetings.
The city's half-dead for a shindig that's shorter than your average date night – a quick dinner, a 2.5-hour workshop, and a final report thinner than a phone book page.
Refocusing on NATO's Gravity
The alleys between effort and rewards in NATO usually leave a bad taste. Why? Cuz even in defense matters, we've got that saying from the Covid-19 crisis on repeat: "Ain't no glory in prevention." For the greater good, nothing's too expensive, too hard, or even too embarrassing.
In these troubled times with the Russian threat on the rise, the greater good's calling for a refocus on NATO's original mission: buddy system in case of attack, as Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz reminds us after the meeting. It's also the bigger picture that the 32 member nations have pledged to ramp up their defense spending, targeting a minimum of 5% of their yearly output by 2035, with 3.5% for heavy artillery like tanks and planes, 1.5% for ammunition, and the same for "security-related infrastructure." Merz rightly calls it a "historic" move considering the mountain of money and debt involved. Fair enough.
Trump Held His Ground
The good news: Donald Trump graced us with his presence and stayed until the end. He didn't hurl any nonsense at this one – at least up until the point this piece was written. And, even Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who's got reservations about the 5% target for his country, sailed through unscathed.
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No drama? Bingo. Trump was a perfect gentleman at the dinner table, slept like a baby in royal digs, sat comfortably next to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the meeting, and took compliments with a smirk. The US, Rutte gushed, has always carried the heaviest load in the alliance. Trump bragged that his part of the bill was two-thirds of NATO's total, although we know that's a stretch (that's about a third in reality, but still not small potatoes!). Anyway, Rutte promised: "That's changing today." And it's thanks to Donald Trump that this is happening, Rutte went on, calling it a, well, you get the picture. We're talking flattery by the ton here.
Trump knew the drill long ago, not just because everyone kept telling him. He got an SMS from Rutte the day before, describing it as "submissive." Trump, according to trusty Rutte, had accomplished what "NO American President" had done before him. It was a, you guessed it, great success, and so on and so forth with the syrup. In terms of submissiveness, all NATO partners had really pulled out all stops. Everything revolved around Trump: what he wants, what he says, how he acts, what he's thinking, and for how long it lasts. "It's a hell of a read," government folks said. More than that, they added, before taking a self-deprecating breath: "We're all a bit too hung up on Trump."
Meanwhile, you could miss the essential implications of this controversial summit if you weren't watching closely. Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz wanted to set a different vibe with his opening statement, countering the eternal Trump fixation. The decisions made here aren't for selfish reasons, Merz explained, but for our own knowledge, our own conviction. NATO, especially our European bit, must do more in the coming years to secure our own defense capabilities. It's investments in our security, freedom, and ultimately our prosperity. The message to potential enemies, Merz said, must be loud and clear: "Hands off NATO" – Don't even think about messing with NATO.
For some European NATO members, the 2% spending target will still give them a run for their money. Spain isn't the only one grappling with this issue. Merz might stumble upon this debate tomorrow in Brussels at the European Council, as some see the solution to the emerging financial difficulties in Eurobonds, i.e., shared debt – a project Germany has always vetoed. For Merz, this marks the start of NATO's revamp, and it can't carry on in the same ol' way, with just more cash in the kitty. Every process and project must be tested.
"Whatever it costs," the Federal Chancellor recently said. Yeah, it's a lot easier to say that after you've convinced the old parliament to loosen the debt break for defense spending – every extra euro above 1% of GDP can now be covered by credit, without counting towards the national debt cap.
He's asked himself numerous times over the past days what our situation would have been if this decision hadn't been made, Merz said. He's convinced: "It would have ended very differently" – probably in a disagreement. Instead, Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil had already announced in Berlin on Monday that Germany would reach the 3.5% target ahead of schedule, by 2029, instead of 2035.
From brakes to full speed ahead – and slap-bang in the middle, a constitutional amendment and a broken promise. Merz admitted in The Hague that he'd taken a fair share of credit for this decision.
In this regard, Trump's criticism was as unnecessary as Rutte's effusive SMS. It was evaluated as "not particularly helpful" in the inner circle of Germany, France, and the UK. Merz had the chance to briefly chat with Trump. They used the few minutes between the family photo and the joint discussion to discuss their opinions. Merz emphasized that Trump's interference in the Middle East should include Russia too. More pressure, stronger sanctions – that's what Putin will understand, Merz said, and that's what will get him to the bargaining table.
And Trump? He's the best friend of Europe, Donald Trump fired back in the joint gathering. He's the one to lean on, Merz reported afterwards.
- NATO
- Donald Trump
- Friedrich Merz
- The Hague
- NATO Summit
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Overall:
NATO allies have recently raised the stakes in defense spending. During the NATO summit in The Hague in June 2025, heads of state agreed to increase defense spending to a minimum of 5% of GDP by 2035, up from the previous 2% guideline[1][2]. This lift requires an additional $1.9 trillion annually across NATO countries, which represents a significant raise in military investment[1].
This increased spending commitment reflects a strategic ambition to bolster collective defense capabilities, moving beyond symbolic targets to tangible capacity expansion. However, worries have been raised that unless structural reforms and financial strategies tailored to this objective are put in place, this massive spending growth may result in inflation rather than improving military readiness[1].
Regarding NATO's mission and its ties with the United States, especially under previous President Trump, these expanded spending commitments are generally seen as a validation of Trump's campaign for allies to assume more of the financial load. Trump's leadership has been credited with universal agreement among NATO countries to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, marking a substantial upgrade from past commitments[2]. This shift follows Trump's "America First" stance, pushing for European allies to take on more of their own defense burden[2].
US politicians across the political spectrum have applauded this result as strengthening the alliance's core pillar – collective defense – and bolstering deterrence amid growing global threats[2]. The increased spending is aimed at fostering greater industrial cooperation among NATO members and enhancing military capabilities, thus reinforcing a stronger, more equal transatlantic alliance.
In essence:
- NATO allies have committed to boost defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, including 3.5% on direct defense and 1.5% on related security domains[1][3].
- Meeting this objective necessitates a substantial financial boost and necessitates structural reforms to ensure defense spending translates into defense readiness rather than inflationary pressure[1].
- The shift reflects a focus on strategic goals within NATO and responds to longstanding US calls, particularly under President Trump, for European allies to shoulder more defense costs[2].
- The enhanced burden-sharing is seen as reinforcing NATO's primary purpose of mutual defense and recalibrating US-Europe defense relations by reducing the US financial burdens while preserving alliance unity[2].
Thus, the current NATO defense spending commitments represent a significant evolution toward greater European investments and a more equitable transatlantic security partnership, propelled by US leadership priorities accentuated under the Trump administration.
- The European Union, as part of its policy-and-legislation, is committed to the implementation of the peace process, recognizing the ongoing war-and-conflicts around the world, including the escalating tension between NATO members and potential adversaries.
- Politics aside, the recent NATO Summit in The Hague highlights the importance of policy changes, legislative adjustments, and increased defense spending across NATO member nations, with the European Union playing a crucial role in securing general-news peace and stability.
