Trump Urges NATO to More Than Double Defense Spending to 5% of GDP from Current 2% Target

Jan 7, 2025, 05:06 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has called for NATO member countries to increase their defense spending to 5% of their GDP, more than doubling the current target of 2%. Trump emphasized that all NATO countries can afford this increase, stating, 'They can all afford it, but they should be at five percent not two percent.' This proposal comes as NATO continues to push for member nations to meet the existing 2% target, with some countries, like the UK, currently aiming for a 2.5% increase under Keir Starmer's plan. The UK's current defense spending would need to rise by an additional £53 billion to meet Trump's proposed 5% target, a challenge for Rachel Reeves to address. Trump's comments signal a significant escalation in expectations for NATO's defense contributions.