The new US administration’s demand for European NATO members to spend at least 5% of their GDP on defence has caught many capitals off guard, particularly those already struggling to meet the 2% benchmark. In a recent statement, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that Europe must take ownership of conventional security on the continent.
Currently, Italy and Spain face scrutiny for failing to meet the 2% spending threshold. Despite being among the largest economies in the European Union, they have reduced their defence spending over the past few years. Italy, Germany’s second-largest economy, spent 2.12% on defence in 2024, while France spent 2.06%. Spain, however, spent just 1.28% of its GDP on defence.
Other countries, such as Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Belgium, also lag behind the 2% target. While Luxembourg doubled its defence spending from 2022 to 2024, it still has limited capabilities due to its small size and military personnel. Meanwhile, Slovenia and Belgium spend only 1.29% and 1.3% of their GDP on defence, respectively.
The US administration’s pressure on European countries to increase their defence spending raises concerns about the sustainability of the NATO alliance. As Hegseth stated, Europe must “step into the arena” and take ownership of conventional security on the continent.
Source: https://www.army-technology.com/news/bottom-5-defence-spenders-in-nato-trumps-targets