President-elect Donald Trump, poised to return to the White House, has reportedly told NATO members to prepare for a sharp increase in defense spending, setting a new target of 5% of GDP, according to the Financial Times.
This represents more than double the alliance’s current benchmark of 2%, which only 23 of the 32 NATO members currently meet.
The report suggests that Trump’s team has been in discussions with senior European officials, outlining his expectations for NATO and military aid to Ukraine. Despite his campaign rhetoric threatening to cut off aid to Kyiv and reduce U.S. involvement in NATO, Trump now reportedly plans to maintain military assistance to Ukraine as it continues to resist Russian aggression.
During his previous term, Trump criticized NATO allies for not meeting their defense spending commitments, often singling out European nations for underfunding collective security. Raising the spending target to 5% would place a substantial financial burden on member states, particularly those already grappling with economic challenges.
Trump’s apparent shift on military aid to Ukraine is notable given his campaign promises to force Kyiv into peace negotiations and reduce U.S. commitments. According to multiple sources briefed on the talks, the president-elect’s aides have assured European officials that the United States will maintain military supplies to Ukraine after Trump’s inauguration.
While Trump’s demand for a 5% defense spending target underscores his focus on burden-sharing within NATO, the potential impact on alliance cohesion remains uncertain. Many NATO members have yet to meet the existing 2% benchmark, raising questions about the feasibility of such an increase.