NATO Faces Pressure for Increased Defense Spending as U.S. Pushes for 5% GDP Commitment

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls for a stronger NATO, while European allies debate higher contributions amid concerns over reduced American support.

• U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his first NATO visit, urged member nations to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP, aligning with President Trump's demands.
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte suggested a more attainable target of over 3% GDP, noting progress as two-thirds of allies now meet the 2% goal set in 2014.
• Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius supported higher spending but rejected the 5% target, emphasizing the need for gradual and consistent increases.
• Hegseth reassured allies that no immediate U.S. troop reductions in Europe are planned but highlighted a global review of military deployments to prioritize challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
• Hegseth's visit to Stuttgart faced protests from U.S. military families over the administration's rollback of diversity, equality, and inclusion initiatives, reflecting broader tensions within the U.S. military community.

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