NATO defense ministers approved new strength goals on Thursday, setting the stage for a potential agreement on significantly increased defense spending at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague. The US is pushing for member countries to raise their defense spending from the current two percent of GDP to five percent, a move that could be seen as a major political win for Donald Trump.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth highlighted the “historical nature” of the progress made during a preparatory meeting, noting that countries are “close to agreement.” While some nations are still hesitant, Hegseth expressed confidence that they would eventually come on board.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed a model to help countries reach the five percent target. This involves allocating 3.5 percent of GDP to hard military expenses and the remaining 1.5 percent to defense-related expenses such as critical infrastructure and hybrid defense.
The new strength goals, which define specific gaps in NATO’s military capabilities and assign tasks to member countries, are classified to prevent Russia from gaining insight into NATO’s armament plans. Denmark’s Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen, acknowledged that meeting these goals would be expensive, emphasizing the need for increased combat power and air defense capabilities.
The proposed timeline for reaching the five percent target is by 2032, a timeframe that some, including Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, consider too slow. The US has emphasized that the five percent requirement is non-negotiable, with Hegseth asserting that Trump has been instrumental in revitalizing NATO by pushing member countries to increase their defense spending.
The US is seeking to ensure that its allies are committed to delivering deterrence and peace through strength, signaling a potential shift in the burden of European security. The upcoming NATO summit in The Hague will be a crucial moment for determining whether a new common spending target can be agreed upon, potentially marking a significant achievement for Trump.