NATO Chief Reports Europe Meeting Spending Targets Following Trump Criticism, According to Reuters

By Sabine Siebold, John Irish

BRUSSELS/PARIS – NATO announced on Wednesday that European members are on track to meet spending commitments, emphasizing the importance of U.S. allies following comments from former U.S. President Donald Trump about potential reductions in American military protection for countries that do not meet spending obligations.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged the U.S. House of Representatives, currently under Republican control, to approve a significant military aid package for Ukraine, warning that a Russian victory could encourage aggressive actions by China.

Stoltenberg indicated that European NATO members are expected to invest a combined total of $380 billion in defense in 2023, bringing their overall spending to an estimated 2% of GDP in 2024, up from 1.85% in 2023. This marks a notable increase, with projections for 18 NATO allies to meet the 2% target this year, compared to just 11 last year.

Responding to inquiries about Trump’s controversial remarks, Stoltenberg emphasized that the U.S. recognizes the strategic importance of NATO for its own security. He noted, “The United States has never fought a war alone,” underscoring that criticisms often target NATO allies for not investing enough in defense.

With a potential Trump return to the presidency looming, NATO diplomats are working to ensure continued U.S. involvement in European security. Stoltenberg characterized support for Ukraine as an essential investment in collective security, remarking that most NATO defense expenditures originate from non-EU allies.

In a historic shift, Germany will meet the 2% target for the first time this year, allocating approximately 71.8 billion euros for defense through standard and special budget contributions. France, which is the only nuclear power in the EU, is also expected to significantly increase its defense spending under a new Military Programming Law.

Diplomats indicated that NATO’s new strategy will need to prioritize increasing European defense expenditure and addressing U.S. interests in regions like the Indo-Pacific, all while carefully managing relations with Trump. One insider described the expected strategy as a blend of “flattery and a firm hand.”

Keith Kellogg, a key national security adviser to Trump, has hinted at the possibility of changes to NATO that would affect member nations’ security guarantees if Trump were to regain power. Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO members have been steadily enhancing their defense budgets in response to heightened security concerns.