President Donald Trump is once again advocating an “America First” approach to NATO defense spending, insisting that the new five percent of GDP target should apply only to allies, not the United States. This stance, coupled with Spain’s secured exclusion, signals continued tension over burden-sharing within the alliance as it seeks to boost its collective defense.
The proposed five percent target is bifurcated: 3.5 percent for pure defense spending, a substantial increase from the current two percent minimum, and an additional 1.5 percent for critical infrastructure improvements, cyber defense, and societal preparedness. Trump’s assertion that the US has “carried its allies for years” highlights his consistent demand for European nations to shoulder more of the financial burden.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed Spain’s exemption, indicating that the final NATO communique would no longer mandate the target for “all allies.” This move could set a precedent for other financially constrained members, like Italy and Canada, to seek similar concessions. Trump’s persistent calls for allies to increase their contributions, including his branding of Canada as a “low payer,” further underscore the internal pressures surrounding equitable burden-sharing.
The driving force behind this intensified focus on defense spending is the shared concern among European leaders about Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine and its broader implications for regional security. NATO experts have indicated that robust defense against a potential Russian attack requires investments of at least three percent of GDP. While a 2032 deadline has been floated for achieving the five percent target, the feasibility and enforcement of this timeline remain subjects of ongoing negotiation.