Nato moves toward increased defense spending to appease Trump

NATO is close to reaching a new spending agreement aimed at satisfying former US President Donald Trump. The alliance’s Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has proposed that member nations commit to allocating 3.5% of their GDP to direct defense spending by 2032, along with an additional 1.5% for broader security-related expenses.

This plan is designed to meet Trump’s longstanding demand for a five percent GDP commitment to defense, while still allowing flexibility for European countries currently struggling to meet NATO’s existing two percent target.

Germany's Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, endorsed the proposal during a NATO meeting in Turkey, stating that Germany is prepared to support Trump’s expectations. He emphasized that Rutte’s plan would effectively meet the five percent figure Trump has been asking for.

France also expressed its support, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot describing the 3.5% benchmark as a suitable goal for core military spending.

The backing of major NATO powers like Germany and France makes it more difficult for countries like Canada and other European members to oppose the plan at the upcoming NATO summit scheduled for June in The Hague. The United States has already expressed its support for the proposal.

Rutte expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached, noting that NATO countries increasingly recognize the urgency of boosting defense in light of intelligence suggesting Russia could restore its military strength within three to five years.

Although Rutte did not share specific details of the proposal, he highlighted the importance of including infrastructure spending, such as improving transportation routes for military use, in the broader security expenditure. Each country would be expected to present a credible plan to meet these targets.

Diplomats indicate the proposal involves gradually increasing direct military spending by 0.2 percentage points annually over seven years until the 3.5% goal is met. The additional 1.5% would cover diverse areas, including infrastructure, cybersecurity, border security, and aid to Ukraine.

European countries have become more committed to raising defense budgets since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Trump’s warning that the US might not defend NATO countries failing to meet spending goals has also pressured nations like Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Canada to finally reach the two percent benchmark.

Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, confirmed that Italy has now achieved the two percent goal and expressed willingness to continue increasing defense spending. He also stressed the importance of addressing broader aspects of security beyond just weaponry.

Currently, no NATO member, including the US, allocates five percent of GDP to defense. However, Eastern European countries such as Poland and the Baltic states most alarmed by the threat from Russia have signaled readiness to exceed this level in direct military spending.