Trump Doubles Down on NATO Partners, Vows "Giant Leap" in Defense Spending
Trump fully and wholly backs NATO allies
When it comes to NATO and defense spending, US President Donald Trump is leaving no stones unturned. He has reiterated his commitment to NATO's Article Five, stating, "We're all in, we're fully committed, completely behind them."
Trump's focus is on driving a massive increase in NATO partners' defense spending, and he expects to make some major announcements at the ongoing NATO summit in The Hague. Previously, Trump had hinted that he would only support NATO members who spend enough on their own defense.
NATO's aim is to have its members spending at least 3.5% of their respective GDP on defense and 1.5% on defense-relevant infrastructure by 2035, which is the amount that Trump has been urging for years. This shift from the previous 2% target is a "giant leap" as pointed out by Trump.
The summit in The Hague is expected to see all 32 members agreeing to this goal, although some countries like Spain, Slovakia, and Belgium are hesitant about this increase. Despite this, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz remains optimistic, denouncing the decisions made as being based on convictions rather than pleasing anyone.
Merz, addressing the ongoing security threats, particularly from Russia, feels the need for the increased defense spending. He foresees a "historic NATO summit" set to unfold in The Hague.
Behind the Scene: Tug of War Over Defense Spending
Experts believe that this increased defense spending focus highlights a shift in strategy, moving away from a broad focus on collective defense and towards traditional military power[1][2]. Furthermore, some NATO members are negotiations exemptions, such as Spain, from the 5% defense spending target[2].
In 2025, only a few countries, including Poland, have committed to spending at least 3.5% of their GDP on defense, while only 22 of the 32 NATO countries have met or surpassed the former 2% spending target[1][2]. The U.S. President has been vocal about the need for allies to pull their weight, yet there seems to be some leniency in his demands as he expressed concerns over the burden falling primarily on the U.S[2].
With progress towards these goals subjected to regular reviews every four years, the ball is now in the court of the NATO members to step up their defense spending commitments[2]. As the geopolitical tensions simmer, the churning waters of NATO are set to showcase a dramatic shift.
[1] - Defense Spending: Analysis[2] - NATO Summit Coverage
- The ongoing debate within the NATO community revolves around the implementation of a new defense spending policy, with President Trump advocating for a 3.5% GDP allocation by 2035, a significant shift from the previous 2% target.
- In the context of the escalating geopolitical tensions and the ongoing NATO summit in The Hague, politics and general news regularly feature war-and-conflicts discussions, focusing on the arguing parties' employment policies concerning defense spending, a critical aspect for ensuring the alliance's collective defense and security.
