NATO's Shift in Defense Spending: A New Era of Commitment under Pressure
NATO Endorses Trump's Proposal: Adopts 5 Percent Defense Spending Target - NATO Adopts Trump's Proposal: 5% Defense Spending Goal Agreed Upon
With Russia's assault on Ukraine casting a dark shadow and the relentless pressure from US President Donald Trump, NATO has decided to ramp up defense spending significantly. In a historic move, the allies consented to invest at least 5 percent of their gross domestic product in defense and security every year beginning in 2035 - a level not witnessed since the Cold War. Previously, the aim was a miserly 2 percent.
"Epic win": Trump can't hide his excitement
The specter of NATO veering towards Trump's election had been averted – at least for now. Despite his reluctance for international gatherings and affinity for bilateral deals, Trump displayed an unprecedented enthusiasm about the summit. He proclaimed it an "epic win for the United States," but also a "major triumph" for Europe and Western civilization.
Germany's Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), praised the results as "historic." In exchange for the five-percent pledge, the allies expect Trump to publicly affirm that the US will stand by its commitment under Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which declares an attack on one member as an attack on all.
Trump promised European partners of this, adding that the improved cooperation would yield better results because "they're now coughing up more." He affirmed, "We're here to help them safeguard their nation." Recently, Trump had questioned whether the US would still adhere to the core agreement of the NATO treaty, even just before the summit.
The summit declaration asserts that NATO members remain united and resolute, defending a billion citizens across the alliance area.
Spending 3.5 percent on core defense needs
The agreement on defense spending necessitates that each member state spend at least 3.5 percent of its GDP to meet core defense needs and achieve NATO capability targets. Additional expenses for counter-terrorism and military-usable infrastructure can also be considered toward these requirements. Infrastructure investments can involve improvements in railways, tank-proof bridges, and expanded ports.
Germany keen to lead the way: 2029 instead of 2035
Germany aims to achieve the goal ahead of the schedule, projected to be by 2029. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, in the cabinet-approved medium-term financial planning, provides this insight. Merz assured that Germany isn't doing this to placate Trump but rather expresses its conviction that lifting the debt brake sent an important signal on the path to the NATO decision. "We have, in essence, assumed a certain leadership role that others have subsequently adopted," Merz mentioned.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte applauded Trump profusely. He had accomplished something that "no American president has done in decades," he commended the Republican.
Nevertheless, the summit elation was curbed by a rule-breaker: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. He clarified that Spain can meet the NATO requirements without spending 5 percent of its GDP on defense. Spain plans to spend 2.1 % of its GDP this year and can fulfill all the prerequisites.
Trump then retaliated with tariffs against Sánchez, stating, "We're going to negotiate a trade deal with Spain. We're going to make them pay double." However, the U.S. can only negotiate tariffs with the entire European Union. In the current trade conflict with the U.S., the EU Commission represents the community.
Ukraine's uncertain future in NATO
The unity of NATO demonstrated its boundaries when it came to the Ukraine war. Most European NATO members stand unwaveringly behind Ukraine and wish to escalate pressure on Russia. Trump maintains an ambivalent stance and considers sanctions detrimental to his own economy. Merz attempted to persuade Trump of the necessity of sanctions in a private conversation on the summit's sidelines.
Contrary to previous years, there was no separate working session on Russian aggression against Ukraine during the summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended as a guest, assumed a supporting role this time. The summit declaration restricts its solidarity with Ukraine to the vague sentence: "The allies reiterate their ongoing individual commitments to support Ukraine, whose security strengthens our own."
Ukraine's "irreversible path" to NATO omitted
Zelensky secured a minor triumph by having it written that NATO countries can count military support for his country toward their defense spending. This practice had already existed, but Ukraine feared that it could change due to Trump's policies.
Last year, NATO pledged $40 billion in aid to Ukraine and asserted its support for Ukraine on the "irreversible path" to NATO membership. The phrase, which holds immense significance for Ukraine, has been expunged from the current agreement.
The historic agreement at the NATO summit requires each member to invest at least 3.5% of their GDP in defense and security annually, starting from 2035, a level not seen since the Cold War.
Germany, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, aims to reach this target ahead of schedule, with an anticipated achievement by 2029, demonstrating Germany's leadership within the alliance. This decision, Merz notes, is not an attempt to placate the United States but rather a strong signal of commitment to the NATO goal.
