European leaders are bracing for difficult negotiations with US President Donald Trump over defense spending, as the US seeks to increase NATO allies’ spending to 5% of their GDP. The talks come as European officials acknowledge they need to spend more to keep Trump’s support.
The current 2% target has been in place since 2014, but Trump wants a higher figure to demonstrate commitment to Western security. Some countries, like Poland and Estonia, are already planning to increase their spending, while others struggle to meet the current goal.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is urging allies to work together to reach a new target, possibly around 3-3.5%, within the next two years. However, progress has been slow, and some EU leaders fear that Trump’s threats will deter them from increasing spending.
The US has its own interests in Europe, including maintaining a strong military presence in the region. Some European officials argue that if Trump were to abandon NATO, the US would be left with no credible allies in Western Europe.
As tensions rise, both sides are seeking to reassure each other of their commitment to the transatlantic relationship. The talks come at a time when Russia and China are increasingly militarizing their borders, and Europe’s defense spending is seen as crucial to deterring these threats.
NATO officials say that allies have increased their defense spending by 20% in 2024 compared to the previous year, but more needs to be done to meet Trump’s demands. The European Union is also exploring ways to pool funds for defense projects, which could help to reduce reliance on US-made equipment.
Ultimately, the outcome of these talks will depend on whether Europe and the US can find a middle ground that addresses both sides’ concerns. If not, the consequences could be severe, including the erosion of Western security and the rise of rival powers in the region.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/02/12/nato-defense-spending-trump-hegseth