Overview

• NATO diplomats say all 32 members have endorsed a plan to boost defense and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, subject to summit ratification.
• Spain dropped its objection after securing a carve-out, ending resistance from left-wing coalition allies to higher defense budgets.
• U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated criticism of European defense shortfalls has driven momentum for the new spending benchmark.
• Poland and the Baltic states already exceed 4% of GDP on defense while Canada, Italy and Spain remain below NATO’s original 2% guideline.
• Some governments are expected to rely on creative accounting, including counting infrastructure upgrades as defense expenditures, to meet the ambitious goal.