NATO Summit: US Pushes for 5% GDP Defense Spending
- The United States is advocating for all NATO members, including Spain, to commit at least 5% of their GDP to NATO defense spending.
- Whitaker stated that this 5% target is not merely a suggestion but a baseline for discussion.
- NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed a plan to make the 5% target more palatable, suggesting that allies allocate 3.5% to defense and the remaining 1.5% to...
The United States is aggressively pushing NATO allies to elevate defense spending to 5% of their GDP. U.S. Ambassador Matthew whitaker made it clear: this isn’t a suggestion, but a critical baseline. Defense ministers are currently in Brussels,hashing out new military resource objectives extending to 2032. this increased commitment to defense, discussed ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague, aims to bolster capabilities for deterrence and defense. News Directory 3 reports on the shifts as some allies, including Spain, remain hesitant, while others in Northern and Eastern Europe are already on board. Discover where these commitments lead and what the final agreements at The Hague summit will entail.
U.S. urges NATO Allies to Commit 5% GDP to Defense Spending
Updated June 4, 2025
The United States is advocating for all NATO members, including Spain, to commit at least 5% of their GDP to NATO defense spending. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker emphasized this stance during a videoconference ahead of the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Brussels.
Whitaker stated that this 5% target is not merely a suggestion but a baseline for discussion. The defense ministers are meeting to approve new military resource objectives for the alliance through 2032, with the increased defense spending expected to be a key topic at the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed a plan to make the 5% target more palatable, suggesting that allies allocate 3.5% to defense and the remaining 1.5% to broader security measures. While some nations are warming to this idea, Spain remains hesitant to discuss specific percentages.
Whitaker did not confirm whether Washington would endorse Rutte’s plan but reiterated the U.S. commitment to the 5% figure. “It is indeed not a suggestion, but a starting point,” Whitaker said, underscoring the importance of increased investment in defense and security.
“We work with all the allies, including our friends from Spain. We expect a very prosperous summit and we hope that all allies join this commitment,” Whitaker insisted.
The push for increased defense spending is gaining traction. Recently, 14 NATO members from Northern and Eastern Europe pledged to work toward the 5% goal. Their declaration called on all allies to invest more urgently in defense to ensure credible resources and capabilities for deterrence and defense.
While French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed willingness to increase defense expenditure to 3.5% of GDP, he has resisted committing to the 5% target. Similarly, British Prime Minister Keir starmer has promised to increase the UK’s defense spending to 2.5% between 2027 and 2028, with aspirations to reach 3% in the future, but without setting a firm deadline.
Rutte acknowledged the varying perspectives on percentages and timelines but stressed that the 2% commitment made in Wales is no longer sufficient. He emphasized the need for a more enterprising goal to emerge from The Hague summit.
What’s next
NATO allies will continue to negotiate defense spending commitments leading up to the summit in The Hague.The U.S. is firm on the need for notable and credible year-over-year growth in defense investment, signaling a shift away from prolonged timelines for meeting spending targets.