U.S. President Donald Trump has praised NATO allies for their commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of their GDP by 2035, a significant rise from the previous benchmark of 2%. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Trump emphasized the strategic importance of this move for the alliance’s collective security.
The new spending goal, agreed upon at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, will see NATO members allocate at least 3.5% of GDP to core defense requirements. An additional 1.5% will be directed towards defense-related investments and security needs, marking a substantial boost in financial commitment by European allies and Canada.
As part of this agreement, NATO reported a nearly 20% increase in combined core defense expenditure among its European and Canadian members in 2025 compared to the previous year. This financial enhancement reflects the alliance’s broader strategy to fortify military capabilities, defense production, and overall security collaboration.
In addition to discussing defense spending, Trump called for an end to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, highlighting the severe human toll of the war. He reiterated the United States’ commitment to pursuing diplomatic avenues to resolve the conflict.
The 5% defense spending target by 2035 underscores NATO’s dedication to strengthening its military posture and ensuring the alliance’s readiness to address emerging global threats. This development represents a pivotal step in enhancing the member countries’ collective defense mechanisms.