Trump Expects Nato Allies to Spend More — or Face Consequences. Here's What It Means
US officials say allies that lag on the 5% GDP goal could lose military cooperation and access to American weapons.
- On Sunday night, US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker warned that President Donald Trump's administration expects NATO allies to rapidly increase defense spending to 5 per cent by 2035, ahead of a key summit starting Tuesday in Ankara.
- Some allies lead by example, but many are "lagging behind," according to Whitaker, prompting Washington to threaten reduced military cooperation and potential troop withdrawals from countries failing to meet targets.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced a £15 billion defense boost, taking Britain's spending to around 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2029, though the UK remains significantly below NATO's long-term target.
- Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth launched a six-month review of American military posture in Europe, raising the possibility of troop reductions in countries failing to meet spending expectations.
- Despite earlier tensions over Article 5, diplomats expect NATO's 32 leaders to reaffirm an "ironclad commitment" to collective defense, while Trump plans to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss ending the war with Russia.
13 Articles
13 Articles
US President Donald Trump increases the pressure before the NATO summit: whoever misses the 5% target risks withdrawal of troops and weapons barriers.
Trump expects Nato allies to spend more — or face consequences. Here's what it means
Donald Trump has warned NATO allies to rapidly increase defence spending or face consequences, including reduced US military cooperation and possible troop withdrawals. Here's why the warning matters and what it could mean for the alliance
POLITICS: Trump’s NATO summit agenda: dole out the tough love
This week’s NATO summit in Ankara arrives at a fraught moment: Even as America and its allies face growing threats from authoritarian powers, differences over Ukraine, Iran, Greenland and US military commitments in Europe have strained transatlantic ties. That gives President Donald Trump and Secretary General Mark Rutte a golden opportunity to put NATO on the right path. Their first order of business must be spurring further European investment…
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