Particle.news
Download on the App Store
35 ARTICLES
·
6d ago

NATO Allies Split Over 5% Defense Spending Ahead of Den Haag Summit

US President Trump has ruled out applying the new spending goal to the United States; Spain refuses the five percent target; Slovakia’s prime minister warns he may withdraw if unanimity fails.

Image
Image
Image

Overview

  • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has proposed that by 2032 members commit at least 3.5% of GDP to defense and 1.5% to related infrastructure.
  • President Trump insists the five percent spending target should apply to all NATO members except the United States, warning of reduced US support for non-compliant allies.
  • Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called a binding five percent goal “unreasonable and counterproductive” and will not agree to it at the summit.
  • Germany’s leadership has endorsed higher defense outlays and plans to exceed the current two percent GDP target by year’s end.
  • Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to pull Slovakia out of NATO if the alliance requires unanimous approval of the new spending requirement.