NATO Urges Europe to Increase Defense Spending as Trump Presidency Looms

Leaders call for higher military budgets and improved production efficiency to address growing security threats and sustain alliance strength.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte emphasized the need for European allies to exceed the longstanding 2% GDP defense spending benchmark, citing escalating security challenges from Russia and global instability.
The alliance is preparing for the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, whose past criticisms of NATO funding raised concerns about U.S. commitment to collective defense.
NATO's new defense strategy includes plans to deploy up to 300,000 troops to its eastern flank within 30 days, requiring significant increases in military spending and production capacity.
U.K. leaders, including Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stressed the urgency of bolstering defense budgets and maintaining strong support for Ukraine to counter Russian aggression.
Rutte highlighted inefficiencies in Europe's defense industry, urging NATO members to streamline production and reduce costs to meet growing demands for military equipment.