Posted by 
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about the United States’ financial commitment to NATO, stating that the US was protecting alliance members without receiving adequate protection in return.
Trump suggested that NATO members should significantly increase their defence spending, proposing a target of 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP)—a dramatic rise from the current 2% benchmark.
“I’m not sure we should be spending anything, but we should certainly be helping them,” Trump told reporters after signing an executive order in the Oval Office. “We’re protecting them. They’re not protecting us.” The president reiterated his stance later during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, emphasising that the existing 2% goal was insufficient and urging members to commit to the 5% target.
The United States currently finances 15.8% of NATO’s $3.5 billion annual budget, sharing the largest contribution with Germany. This budget, however, does not account for indirect contributions such as the deployment of military forces. The US defence budget, amounting to $816.7 billion in 2023, far exceeds the combined defence expenditure of all other NATO members, highlighting Washington’s outsized role in the alliance’s military strength.
Trump’s remarks have reignited discussions about burden sharing within the alliance. His newly appointed Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, underscored the US commitment to NATO during talks with Secretary General Mark Rutte, stressing the need for capable defence allies and equitable contributions.
NATO officials and analysts, however, consider the proposed 5% GDP target unattainable. Most NATO members struggle to meet the current 2% goal set a decade ago, with eight countries still falling short. Analysts believe that while Trump’s push for increased spending is unlikely to result in the adoption of a 5% target, it may prompt NATO to agree on a more modest increase.
NATO members are expected to discuss revised defence spending goals at a summit in The Hague in June. The talks are driven by fears of potential Russian aggression against NATO countries following the invasion of Ukraine, as well as pressure from the United States. While a 5% target appears politically and economically unfeasible, a more realistic figure of around 3% is being considered. Even this adjustment would pose challenges for many members, given their current budgetary constraints.
The debate over defence spending underscores ongoing tensions within NATO, as the alliance navigates competing priorities, fiscal limitations, and the need for collective security in an increasingly volatile geopolitical climate.
Melissa Enoch
The post Trump Questions US Spending On NATO, Urges Allies To Increase Defence Contribution appeared first on Arise News.
