Trump to demand NATO defense spending increase to 5% of GDP

Donald Trump’s foreign policy team has informed European officials that the incoming U.S. president will demand NATO member states increase their defense spending target to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), while indicating plans to continue supplying military aid to Ukraine according to a report published by Financial Times.

The message was delivered during discussions with senior European officials, shedding light on Trump’s evolving approach to Europe, NATO, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Trump’s NATO spending demand: From 2% to 5%

Trump‘s team reportedly emphasized the president-elect’s intention to more than double NATO’s current defense spending target, which stands at 2% of GDP. Currently, only 23 out of NATO’s 32 member states meet the existing benchmark.

According to individuals familiar with the talks, Trump might settle for a target around 3.5% but will strongly advocate for a minimum of 3% during the NATO summit in the Hague in June.

Additionally, Trump’s team is said to be considering linking increased defense spending to favorable trade terms with the United States.

The U.S. currently allocates about 3.1% of GDP to defense spending, down from 3.4% during Trump’s previous presidency in 2020.

US military aid to Ukraine will continue under Trump

Despite campaign rhetoric suggesting a withdrawal of aid, Trump’s foreign policy advisors have clarified that U.S. military supplies to Ukraine will continue after his inauguration.

While Trump reportedly opposes Ukraine’s NATO membership and supports an immediate ceasefire, he views continued military aid as a mechanism to secure a “peace through strength” resolution to the conflict.

This shift comes as a relief to European leaders who had been concerned about maintaining adequate military support for Ukraine without U.S. involvement.

European allies respond to Trump’s plans

European NATO allies, including France, Germany, the UK. Italy, and Poland, held discussions with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels to prepare for potential shifts in US policy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with Trump via phone during an EU leaders’ summit, expressing optimism about continued transatlantic support for Ukraine.

Scholz later told reporters he was “confident that the U.S. and Europe will continue their support to Ukraine.”

Senior U.K. security officials also visited Washington earlier this month to assess Trump’s foreign policy direction.

Balancing NATO commitments, fiscal challenges

NATO members are already discussing an increase to a 3% defense spending target for the June summit in The Hague. However, such an adjustment would require significant fiscal sacrifices from many member states.

Some European officials are concerned about the feasibility of meeting Trump’s proposed 5% spending goal, given the existing economic constraints in many NATO nations.