The Trump administration has issued a direct mandate to its NATO allies, calling on them to immediately raise their defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) just days before leaders meet for a critical summit in Ankara.
The explicit target sets a significantly higher benchmark than the current alliance guideline of 2 percent, ramping up pressure on European member states. Speaking ahead of the meetings, the US ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, made it clear that Washington is dissatisfied with the current distribution of financial responsibilities.
While he noted that certain allies like Poland and the Nordic countries are leading the way, he stated that many others are “lagging behind” and must step up.
The spending demand revives long-standing friction within the alliance. President Trump has frequently criticized what he terms a “one-sided” relationship with NATO, repeatedly complaining that the United States spends money on collective defense without receiving a sufficient benefit in return.
The timing of the pressure coincides with a scheduled gathering of NATO leaders in Ankara this week. The official agenda centers on reviewing progress regarding defense investments and finalizing ongoing support for Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte indicated he expects significant arms deals to be reviewed or finalized during the summit.
European leadership appears to be adjusting to the shifting expectations from Washington. In a co-authored op-ed published ahead of the summit, Mark Rutte and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asserted that Europe’s era of outsourcing defense is “now over,” emphasizing that closer cooperation and self-reliance are now mandatory for the continent’s security strategy.
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